How (or would) you follow up this comment?

[leonie]

My Church of Christ BIL remarked to me that he was thinking about Catholics and how they had to follow the Pope no matter what he said. I hesitated briefly, then said, “yes, in matters of faith and morals.” I told him if the Pope told us to wear orange, we didn’t have to do that.

Then, he went on to say how upsetting it was when members of his church leave over silly things. His example was that their “communion” was change from passing around a tray of bread and then passing around a tray of grape juice, a family left the church.

I replyed that obedience was a really hard virtue. And, that we had a term for Catholics that pick and chose, i.e. cafeteria Catholics. And, I said that we had Catholics leaving parishes over different silly things, but generally, they went to a neighboring Catholic parish. The discussion was dropped at that point (in the middle of Christmas dinner).

I’m wondering if I should follow up on the discussion. Or, just pray for him and wait for another opening.

Of course, this is the first discussion we’ve had on Catholicism in the 20 years I’ve known him. Once, my SIL (his wife) told me that through their church, she used to study anti-Catholic materials. At the time, I was so dumbfounded that I dropped it. It was early in my renewal and study of the faith. So, I know that they have a lot of misconceptions about the Catholic Church.

If I did follow up, what would you suggest? Should I approach it from an authority standpoint–maybe an article? Or, take a different tack?

Or, just shut up. Was he really asking about the Catholic faith or just voicing his frustration over his disgruntled friends?

It occurs to me now that they also left this church for several years when they didn’t like the way their pastor was fired.

 

[KathyA]

leonie,
I would pray about it and ask God to present another opportunity if He wants you to pursue the conversation. Then be ready to very gently discuss and defend. There are so many great resources out there…if the subject comes up again you might have a tape or CD ready to give. I have found that conversion stories work well in getting people to think about Catholicism in a positive way.

In Christ,
Kathy

 

[Texas_Roofer]

I would advise not to bring it up. Only in future events say “That is just another example of someone’s misunderstanding of Catholism” That would be my repeated answer until they asked a very specific question, as occurred to you. i think you answered that question correctly. Keep all answers short, and accurate, no debates. Let SIL defend her current position - AntiCatholic is good because…

of course this is just my method of similar

 

[mark_a]

My Church of Christ BIL remarked to me that he was thinking about Catholics and how they had to follow the Pope no matter what he said. I hesitated briefly, then said, “yes, in matters of faith and morals.” I told him if the Pope told us to wear orange, we didn’t have to do that.

Then, he went on to say how upsetting it was when members of his church leave over silly things. His example was that their “communion” was change from passing around a tray of bread and then passing around a tray of grape juice, a family left the church.

I replyed that obedience was a really hard virtue. And, that we had a term for Catholics that pick and chose, i.e. cafeteria Catholics. And, I said that we had Catholics leaving parishes over different silly things, but generally, they went to a neighboring Catholic parish. The discussion was dropped at that point (in the middle of Christmas dinner).

I’m wondering if I should follow up on the discussion. Or, just pray for him and wait for another opening.

Of course, this is the first discussion we’ve had on Catholicism in the 20 years I’ve known him. Once, my SIL (his wife) told me that through their church, she used to study anti-Catholic materials. At the time, I was so dumbfounded that I dropped it. It was early in my renewal and study of the faith. So, I know that they have a lot of misconceptions about the Catholic Church.

If I did follow up, what would you suggest? Should I approach it from an authority standpoint–maybe an article? Or, take a different tack?

Or, just shut up. Was he really asking about the Catholic faith or just voicing his frustration over his disgruntled friends?

It occurs to me now that they also left this church for several years when they didn’t like the way their pastor was fired.

I’m sad to say that it occurs to me that this may have been his way of evangelizing you.

Most of the time when someone who knows I’m Catholic tries to “save” me, they start off with some kind of negative remark about the Catholic Church, or especially the pope.

Its as if mutual respect is no longer necessary.

By the way, I think the answers you gave him were very good.

 

[redpepper]

I’m wondering if I should follow up on the discussion. Or, just pray for him and wait for another opening.

Of course, this is the first discussion we’ve had on Catholicism in the 20 years I’ve known him. Once, my SIL (his wife) told me that through their church, she used to study anti-Catholic materials. At the time, I was so dumbfounded that I dropped it. It was early in my renewal and study of the faith. So, I know that they have a lot of misconceptions about the Catholic Church.

If I did follow up, what would you suggest? Should I approach it from an authority standpoint–maybe an article? Or, take a different tack?

Or, just shut up. Was he really asking about the Catholic faith or just voicing his frustration over his disgruntled friends?

It occurs to me now that they also left this church for several years when they didn’t like the way their pastor was fired.

I would not continue any discussion at the moment. You do not know what his motivation is. Maybe he just needed to vent. I often have to listen to my non-catholic friends about problems in their church. If your BIL is interested about the Catholic Church he would initiate further discussion.

 

[Galandriel]

if he brought it up the first time, then chances are, they will come again.

Maybe when you bring it up again, you can emphasize that while we are CAtholics, there are some things we as Catholics can not compromise or make decisions on our own, ie the sacraments. I don’t think I would venture into the “Cafeteria Catholics” so early, as this is going into the many topics and the reality is, the Cafeteria Catholic is not in line with Catholic Teachings. I would work the angle of obedience and the Pope’s role more.

I think you did a great job. You have my prayers.

 

[COGHOBDOJ]

I’m wondering if I should follow up on the discussion. Or, just pray for him and wait for another opening.

Pray. This will ensure its a God thang and not a you thang.