How to welcome people in irregular unions to the Church

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JRS_831 said:
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ChunkMonk:
We should not mix the sacred and the profane. I think more priests should refuse to marry those types of couples.
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A Catholic and a non-Catholic…

I can’t believe comments like this. I don’t know how to respond to this negative, and uncharitable comment.
I continue to be stunned by the attitudes of some in this thread.

My cousin married a non-Catholic who then converted to Catholicism three years later. So, you would have denied them the chance to be married and the chance for the non-Catholic spouse to learn about the Church with her Catholic husband.
People do convert. But, you’d just shut that down.
Unbelievable.
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Or they don’t convert, yet spend their whole lives in love with the other person. Like my mom for the 54 years she was married to my Catholic dad.

I’m with you. The comments here are astounding from people who are supposed to be Catholic, Christian, and morally upright. Mind. Blown.
ChunkMonk said:
What you suggest is uncommon. I suppose we should all be thieves and murderers since the Good Theif was guaranteed heaven. That is foolish.
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I’d much rather be uncommon over uncharitable.
 
Well what does let them be until they are ready to make changes mean? You said that was wisdom.
 
He said :
Any action that will drive people away from the Church in shame or disgust cannot be called “pastoral and done out of love.” It’s hypocrisy masquerading as good work.
Step 1) Draw people in to the Church (good idea)
Step 2) Set a good example for them (reflect Christ, great idea)
Step 3) When they are ready to make changes, counsel them.(Isn’t this conversion?)
Step 4) important trust in the Lord to go into people’s hearts at the right time, and don’t try to force Him into their hearts with a crowbar.(Jesus knocks and waits until we answer)

He did not say “let them be until they are ready”
He did not say that you cant teach people what the truth is.
We cannot command conversion in people. We can pray for it. We can encourage people to not sin, but ultimately, God works out their salvation with them. Yes we are to help, but how are we to say when and how? Is conversion not the person responding to God? Which means they will be ready for a change then…

I see wisdom in what he said. You obviously interpret it very differently than me.
 
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As a non-Catholic, I have to ask…is everyone in the Catholic church really all up in eachothers business like this? What in the world!!! Maybe you all should just have two Catholic churches. A “real” one and a “junior” one. That way none of the “real” Catholics will have to be integrated with those at the “junior” level.

Geez. I am so sorry but I have to tell you, if I was considering coming back to the Catholic church but had come across this thread I would really have to reconsider. Uncharitable doesn’t begin to describe what I am reading. There is a huge difference between really trying to help your brothers and sisters, and being judgemental and just plain nosey (as in sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong). Please, think about what your attitude is with regards to all of this. Behave!
 
Oh please now your being silly lol…

Set a good example reflect Christ when they are ready to make changes counsel them? That’s reflecting Christ?
 
The Catholic Church is the Body of Christ. When we sin we sin against each other. And if we ignore the sin of someone in the body that we know of then we could be doing the greater sin. Unfortunately protestantism has separated itself from Christ’s Church and has reduced it’s ideology to just a personal level. The protestant personal relationship with Jesus is defficient and nothing like God intended. Perhaps you have never heard of the Spiritual works of mercy that Christ gave the Church so your insults may be excused.
 
The topic is about trying to draw people to church who feel abandoned and far away. Can you please stay on topic, or find another topic to post in. I understand you hold a very strong position, but you are not staying on topic.
 
yankeesouth said:
Perhaps you have never heard of the Spiritual works of mercy that Christ gave the Church so your insults may be excused.
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16 years of Catholic education. I am aware of all the Church has to offer. Nothing I said was insulting. I was offering perspective from someone on the outside looking in, that is all. You can take it for what it is worth. Sounds like it wasn’t worth much to you. Also, there is nothing protestant about me or my views, so I would suggest not making that assumption.
 
Lol…yeah okay. You know darn well it’s on topic. You just don’t like being called on your opinion.
 
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No, you are not on topic. The topic was how do we get people in irregular unions back to church. You have changed the dynamic and topic to suit your own ideology. You are more than welcome to create your own topic instead of trying to ruin a topic that is significant and affects just about every person in every church. Please respect the guidelines and not just try to ruin a topic with your own bitterness.
 
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I wouldn’t base my decision to convert or not to covert based on comments on an Internet message board. I will pray for your discernment that you see the full truth likes in the Catholic Faith the Church that Jesus founded.
 
Then you shouldn’t have responded to my op. Lol your the one that sounds bitter my friend that not evryone falls in line with your ideology.
 
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yankeesouth said:
Then you shouldn’t have responded to my op.
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So you’re blaming your “disobedience”/erring from the topic on the actions of others?

Browbeating and hanging sin over someone’s head isn’t how you win/help them back to the Catholic faith. That certainly isn’t covered in the spiritual works of mercy that I know. That’s not merciful. That’s prideful.
 
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I was acxcused of disobedience but obviously I am not since my contribution was valid enough for a response.
 
I think the answer is really quite simple - be welcoming and friendly with everyone you meet.

Don’t be searching out those with irregular unions. It’s really none of your business, you don’t know them and they don’t know you. If they personally tell you about their irregular union and ask for your understanding or opinion, you can refer them to a priest or a helpful resource (if they are seeking that.) Then you pray for them. Let the Holy Spirit do His work of conviction as they are exposed to the readings, the homily and the Mass. I think most people are smart enough to know that any church has teaching regarding morality, participating in the Eucharist/communion, and such.
 
Very good. It’s not like we come into church wearing sin tags so the whole ‘welcoming’ thing is kinda bogus anyway. The question itself is really just an attempt to put forth one’s ideology. But I don’t agree with you about approaching the Eucharist. That should be warned against and we shouldn’t presume one is disobedient in one aspect but not another.
 
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Possible revert-not anymore Catholic Living
I have been thinking about re-joining the Church for around 2 years. I have contacted several priests, Catholic organizations and been met with silence. I found 2 parishes nearby that looked very good. I contacted them as well about reverting. I got very luke-warm and unwelcoming responses. I’m tired of reaching out to the Catholic Church. I once visited a local evangelical, protestant, church down the road with another relative. I can assure you that if I had expressed an interest in joining…
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