I’m sorry you got upset as that was not my intention. However, it is not charitable to refrain from pointing out errors which could lead to eternal damnation.
You brought up the subject of finances as if the Church would rather take money from those outside Her teachings than risk losing them. “Cafeteria Catholics” are already outside the Church by their own choosing. Perhaps there is a better chance of reconcilation while in the pews but the sin of pride keeps many more not in a state of grace denigrating the Blessed Sacrament by presenting themselves for it.
The Four Last Things: Death, Judgement, Heaven, Hell. “Cafeteria Catholics” who die with mortal sins are headed to Hell. That’s not my opinion, it is Church teaching. It may upset you but we all need to be aware of it and act accordingly.
I am not upset by the teachings of the Church. These are for our good, to help us to stay on the straight and narrow road. It is tragic that so many will be lost and spend eternity in hell by their own choice. I pray that I will remain true to the Lord and not fall away.
What upsets me is the implication in your post that those in mortal sin should not come to Mass. Perhaps this isn’t what you meant, but it was strongly implied.
Whether you want to admit it or not, many people would leave the Church if the Mass were done in Latin. I agree, these people would be making a sinful, rebellious choice to leave the Church. I’m not saying that they are correct. I’m just saying that reality is, there would be a lot of departures if all Masses were Latin.
In our parish, our gay music minister was fired after he announced that he and his partner were planning to adopt a child. (Apparently he had told the diocese that he was gay, but celibate and not practicing, when he was hired. In other words, he lied. It was a messy, ugly situation.) HUNDREDS of people left our parish and denounced the Catholic Church over this situation–for a music minister, a man that most of them didn’t even know personally! It was unbelievable, but true. I personally think that a lot of these people were looking for an excuse to walk away from Catholicism, and this incident gave them the perfect excuse–they actually looked tolerant and charitable, and everyone who stayed looked bigoted and homophobic and hateful.
If such a little thing as that is enough to cause people to walk out the door, then what effect would a major change like Latin replacing vernacular have?
Last night the priest who presided over our Mass made an interesting statement. He said that many people have told him that the only reason they are staying in the Church is for the Eucharist. They say that if it wasn’t for the Eucharist, they would dump the Church because they disagree with so many teachings.
I think that’s very sad, but I think it’s reality. Catholics are not docile anymore. They question many of the “traditions” and demand answers other than, “It’s tradition.” You can criticize them all you like, but the reality is, they are looking for a reason to leave. I personally do NOT think that the Catholic Church plans to give them that excuse–I think that Mass will remain in the vernacular for the most part in an attempt to hold onto people.
Our priests have a very tough job these days–trying to hold onto souls who are constantly testing the waters and considering jumping ship entirely.
Again, perhaps you feel that it would be best if they just left so that you and others wouldn’t have to put up with their constant questioning of centuries-old tradition and teachings. And maybe I’m just misinterpreting you. If so, I apologize.
As I said in my previous post, I believe that we need to hang onto souls with all our strength and pray constantly for their restoration to full fellowship with Christ and His Church. I’m GLAD they’re at Mass! It’s their best chance of being convicted of their sin.
And always remember, at every Mass, there are people like me and my husband. When we first attended a Mass, we knew absolutely nothing other than the Lord’s Prayer, and even that was different than what we were used to. To us, the entire Mass seemed like a bizarre ritual, like something out of the Medieval times. If it had been in Latin, we probably would have left, since we don’t know Latin. I think that for the sake of non-Catholics who are seeking the True Church, it is worth leaving the Mass in the vernacular.
Certainly the Latin Mass should be available for those who enjoy it and feel that it’s the only Mass that is worthwhile. But I think that the Church has no plans to take away a Mass form that has helped many people to find Jesus Christ. I think it would be for the best if those who long for a return to Latin for all Masses would just accept reality. It’s tough to always be so unhappy.
