How come so many Catholics don't follow Church Teachings?

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Probably because they are too proud to acknowledge their sin, and/or wont stop. This is why Jesus said to go before others, and eventually the Church. Its accountability.

If someone is being mean and judgmental, the Church will be able to address that. But if there is a valid accusation of harmful sin, then that sinner should either confess and turn, or be disciplined.
 
God has rewarded me with a great experience in when to admonish and when not to. When my daughter was in around Grades 11 and 12, she stopped going to Mass and started stating beliefs that were obviously that of her peers. She was still under my roof so I could have enforced the Mass going at least. Something inside me told me to step back and just pray, pray, pray. I continued to be ‘me’ as in thanking God out loud for things and singing hymns around the house etc. Then gradually through Gods grace she started wanting conversations about her faith. That was when she was about 21. She is now so involved in her faithlife that she does regular Adoration shifts between work and Uni.

Once she asked me “why didn’t you tell me I was going of track, Mum?”. The point is that one can sense when admonishment will do more harm than good when you know where a person is at. But especially for public figures and those we have no connection to, we can’t possibly know where they are at.
 
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Emeraldlady said:
To point that out to fellow Catholics is my work of mercy. If they flail and rail against that admonishment, that is up to them.
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Then you agree we are to admonish the sinner?

Being pharisee like is only one type of sin, one of pride. Should we not also be concerned with other grave sins? One can be pharisee like to those who are speaking the truth.

As I said, it is not about judging, or even being or feeling superior but picking each other up and helping each other when we fall.

If I were to be in a state of grave sin and someone walked away and said, I will concentrate on my own sins and not help her, I would be very sad and hurt when I came to realize where I was.

Actually I have been in such a situation and when I came back to the Church, I was shocked and saddened to see people at Mass I had no idea were even Catholic. I remember thinking, why did you keep your faith hidden?
 
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MagdalenaRita said:
If I were to be in a state of grave sin and someone walked away and said, I will concentrate on my own sins and not help her, I would be very sad and hurt when I came to realize where I was.
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The thing about concentrating on self examination is that it afford us prudence and humility to know how and when to admonish others. It is so common to see the same people who are gung ho for admonishing other sinners, are the very ones rejecting Pope Francis constant admonishment of the rigidity and other sins that is toxic in the Church today. That calls into question whether that person can be suitable to know how to and when to admonish someone else.
MagdalenaRita said:
Actually I have been in such a situation and when I came back to the Church, I was shocked and saddened to see people at Mass I had no idea were even Catholic. I remember thinking, why did you keep your faith hidden?
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Now that you’ve returned are you admonishing those around you who are in that situation? What’s an example of how you do that?
 
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Emeraldlady said:
The thing about concentrating on self examination is that it afford us prudence and humility to know how and when to admonish others.
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I agree we do need to know when and where to admonish someone. And no we don’t go around pointing fingers at people and be constantly pointing out their faults. That is not what this OP is about.
Plus I really prefer the word help or lead rather than admonish.
Emeraldlady said:
It is so common to see the same people who are gung ho for admonishing other sinners, are the very ones rejecting Pope Francis constant admonishment of the rigidity and other sins that is toxic in the Church today. That calls into question whether that person can be suitable to know how to and when to admonish someone else.
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This right here could be seen as judgemental of others. We need to be very careful and not use the words of the Pope incorrectly to pass judgement on those who are trying to live their Catholic faith and witness it to others so to help bring others to Christ.
Emeraldlady said:
Now that you’ve returned are you admonishing those around you who are in that situation?
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As I said above I prefer the word help, lead or guide, or love rather than admonish and no one is talking about feeling superior and going around pointing out others faults but we should live our Catholic faith out loud and always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us.

Proverbs 27:`17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
 
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there is no one else just as well fitted for this work of Christian charity and likely to undertake it;
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This is something I posted earlier, but it really needs to be said again.
Who here has this type of spiritual authority over anyone, except maybe a minor child or spouse?
Or is it ok to go up to a complete stranger and tell them they are sinning?
Who gets to draw that line and where is it?
 
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I find it interesting how we went from the op of praying for others to going up to total strangers and telling them they are sinning.
 
MagdalenaRita said:
I find it interesting how we went from the op of praying for others to going up to total strangers and telling them they are sinning.
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I sensed the worm turning in post #50. It’s not too wise to throw around accusations of being a ‘device of the devil’ when discussing sinners. “As you judge so shall you be judged.”
 
Yet that isn’t speaking of going up to total strangers and telling them their sinning.

Its important to remember we are asked to pray for each other and help each other in love along the way
 
I have been a device for the devil. St Paul and St Peter were also. Who is anyone to imagine they never have been, especially if they reject the Church and feel entitled to His Eucharist?

You mistakenly think admonishment means condemning someone. It’s actually quite the opposite. Its embracing them. Its hoping for fellowship and reconciliation.
 
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Admonishing a child about Mass obligation should simply mean having a discussion why we ought to go to Mass.

If someone refuses to go to Mass, then they arent profaning His Eucharist.

Jesus’ instruction to admonish the sinner has to do with a Christian who is denying a behavior is sinful, and so feels entitled to continue while receiving Eucharist. This would be an open and evident sin that is causing harm or scandal to others.

Furthermore, your daughter even asked why you didnt talk to her about it. Her question makes sense. You have an obligation to inform her what the Church Teaches.
 
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This is why they need accountability through the Church. To hear the Church tell them the truth.
 
Ammi said:
This is why they need accountability through the Church. To hear the Church tell them the truth.
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I am imagining the type of sin you are talking about admonishing is pretty “evident” sin. Things the ten commandments cover, etc. Otherwise, the sinfulness wouldn’t be that apparent to you.

The problem with your approach is that most likely the people you are hoping to admonish already know what the Church teaches. They disagree. Your admonishment isn’t going to change that.

Trying to imagine how your admonishment system will work. Maybe you witness a friend drinking too much over and over again. Why not ask them if they want help and support? Why the need to “admonish”?

Your approach is one that I have seen time and time again contribute to people writing off the Church and no longer practicing their religion. As I said, they know what the Church teaches. They just don’t believe all of it. They don’t need anyone keeping tabs on them and “admonishing” them.

I would be really careful with all of that.
 
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Of course it would be evident sin. And by a fellow member who is receiving Eucharist.

Jesus explains that even if they do not agree, you are to bring it to the Church, so the Church can affirm to them the truth. And if they reject the Church, they are to be “treated as a Gentile”.

This isnt MY approach, as you suggest. Its Jesus’ instruction to believers and the Church.

I am not even saying I’m good at this! I’m just saying it is what Jesus instructs us to do.
 
JMMJ said:
Your approach is one that I have seen time and time again contribute to people writing off the Church and no longer practicing their religion. As I said, they know what the Church teaches. They just don’t believe all of it. They don’t need anyone keeping tabs on them and “admonishing” them.
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St Paul and Jesus tell us that would be their decision and self condemnation, if they refuse the Church.

If they dont respect the Church, then they are not practicing the religion, are they?
 
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Famous Catholics are what I’d call cafeteria and lukewarm Catholics. They put fame and fortune before God, therefore go along with whatever agenda the industry is pushing on the masses.
Catholic Colleges are in name only, just like secondary schools today which do not stick to Catholic teachings, In Ireland Catholic secondary schools do not teach that the Catholic Church is the one true Church but just another offshoot of Christianity. Which is very sad in my opinion.
 
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My sins are my sins. They are not your sins.
When I go into the confessional, you are not there with me. It is me, God, and the priest.
There are many Catholics who seem to have some sort of modern-day pharisee complex. They seem to be more concerned with the sins of others than they are about their own sins.
Rather than worry about the sins committed by others, we all would be much better off by taking care of our own sins.
If any of us ask for help of our brothers and sisters, I am sure our brothers and sisters would be happy to help.
 
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