Is dissent without an action grave sin?

[Rascalking]

I hope this is the right place to post this. This is just a question I was thinking about in church this morning.

In the Missal I read, it gave rules for receiving holy communion. They state those Catholics being in Grave sin should not recieve. I got to thinking about this, and I do not have an answer…please help!

Is dissent against the church without doing the said action a grave sin?

Examples-
Is just being pro choice (and never, ever, procuring or assisting in abortion) a grave sin in itself?

Another example-Being in favor of Euthanasia (but never actually DOING it) a grave sin?

For the record, I am a pro-life, anti-euthenasia, anti emrboynic stem cell research, and generally don’t disagree with the church (I’m sure I have one or two disagreements here or there) so I don’t really have a dog in the fight. Just purely curious.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Greg27]

I think this is the sort of question you should ask of your priest in a pastoral context.

 

[renepape]

“For the record, I am a pro-life, anti-euthenasia, anti emrboynic stem cell research, and generally don’t disagree with the church (I’m sure I have one or two disagreements here or there) so I don’t really have a dog in the fight. Just purely curious.”

You shouldn’t have any disagreements with the Church. What are your disagreements, maybe I can clarify something for you?

 

[Langdell]

Good question, Rascal! I’ve often wondered this myself.

In Catholicism for Dummies (which was written by two priests and has the imprimatur and nihil obstat), the authors say, as I recall, that it’s not a mortal sin to dissent if you don’t publicly express opposition.

Something else to consider is the idea that one’s conscience must always be obeyed. This is stated in The Catholic Catechism, by John A. Hardon, S.J., but I think it’s a basic principle of Catholic moral theology. Of course, we should all strive for a properly formed conscience, But if our conscience simply isn’t yet at the point where we can in good conscience accept a particular teaching, then it shouldn’t be a sin to privately believe in accordance with our conscience.

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[Corki]

Good question, Rascal! I’ve often wondered this myself.

In Catholicism for Dummies (which was written by two priests and has the imprimatur and nihil obstat), the authors say, as I recall, that it’s not a mortal sin to dissent if you don’t publicly express opposition.

Something else to consider is the idea that one’s conscience must always be obeyed. This is stated in The Catholic Catechism, by John A. Hardon, S.J., but I think it’s a basic principle of Catholic moral theology. Of course, we should all strive for a properly formed conscience, But if our conscience simply isn’t yet at the point where we can in good conscience accept a particular teaching, then it shouldn’t be a sin to privately believe in accordance with our conscience.

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The bolded is the key point. It isn’t just not acting. It is also not speaking publically regarding your dissent (especially if you are in a leadership position), not doing things that advance the dissident position and not leading others to a dissident position.

If you, in what you believe to be a properly formed conscience, believe something different that the Church teaches but still believe that the Church is the final authority, it may be that your conscience on the matter is still developing.

 

[Newbie2]

The bolded is the key point. It isn’t just not acting. It is also not speaking publically regarding your dissent (especially if you are in a leadership position), not doing things that advance the dissident position and not leading others to a dissident position.

If you, in what you believe to be a properly formed conscience, believe something different that the Church teaches but still believe that the Church is the final authority, it may be that your conscience on the matter is still developing.

Good post. I usually think of it as struggling with certain Church teachings, but ultimately accepting her authority while I’m working it out.

 

[s4angel]

I don’t know much about it being a grave sin or even a venial sin but I wanted to bring something to you.

In our journey as a child of god we sometimes come to a place where our church at the direction of our father puts in place certain “rules” (for want of a better word) at first glance we look at it, understand it at face value and disagree. We rebel against it in our hearts creating a seperation ( house divided) but after much thought and prayer we take it out again and look at it, meditate on it and see that obediance has brought us to the light, What we first disagreed on in principal was in fact not what we thought it was in the first place but something deeper and more profound and has the power to change us bringing us closer to christ and god in all his infinite wisdom and mercy.

I used to disagree about many things in the church and still to this day I meditate on things I don’t quite understand (and rebel against in my heart) but I pray each day that I am led to a true understanding not just of my head but of my heart and soul. The question that I ask myself when I start to meditate is Why is it I disagree? and then I question each answer I give myself. Obediance is hard won and it is a battle we each wage each day. Like paul said " a battle with in my members". All I want is to do good, think good, be good but I find myself at battle with myself. God bless you and keep you safe.

 

[Iowa_Mike]

I hope this is the right place to post this. This is just a question I was thinking about in church this morning.

In the Missal I read, it gave rules for receiving holy communion. They state those Catholics being in Grave sin should not recieve. I got to thinking about this, and I do not have an answer…please help!

Is dissent against the church without doing the said action a grave sin?

Examples-
Is just being pro choice (and never, ever, procuring or assisting in abortion) a grave sin in itself?

Another example-Being in favor of Euthanasia (but never actually DOING it) a grave sin?

For the record, I am a pro-life, anti-euthenasia, anti emrboynic stem cell research, and generally don’t disagree with the church (I’m sure I have one or two disagreements here or there) so I don’t really have a dog in the fight. Just purely curious.

Thanks in advance!

Yes, dissent against Catholic doctrine is a mortal sin. Read the documents from the First Vatican Council. Vatican I was a doctrinal council while Vatican II was a pastoral one. In the Vatican I documents you will find explicit language that clearly sets forth that Catholics do not have the right to dissent from Catholic Doctrine. That’s why being a Cafeteria Catholic is just a form of moral relativism, they reject those teachings of the Church that interfere with their lifestyles. Following Church teachings isn’t always easy.

The Church’s teachings on life are very clear. Even though you don’t actively participate in abortion or euthanasia, if you speak out or act out in favor of these things before others you commit a serious sin of spreading scandel. Take a look at Catholic Politicians like Kathleen Sebelius, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry etc. These people all profess to be faithful Catholics but vote in favor of bills that promote abortion, euthanasia etc. On TV they claim to be Cathoic but their actions, even though they don’t actively participate in abortion or ethanasia, clearly spread scandel by misleading poorly formed Catholics as to what the Church teaches.

Take care!

Serviam,

Iowa Mike

 

[Ron_Conte]

I hope this is the right place to post this. This is just a question I was thinking about in church this morning.

In the Missal I read, it gave rules for receiving holy communion. They state those Catholics being in Grave sin should not recieve. I got to thinking about this, and I do not have an answer…please help!

Is dissent against the church without doing the said action a grave sin?

Teachings of the Magisterium that are infallible:

1. solemn definitions of the Pope (papal infallibility)
2. solemn definitions of an Ecumenical Council
3. teachings of the Universal Magisterium (when the Pope and the body of Bishops dispersed in the world are in agreement on one teaching definitively to be believed)

These teachings require the full assent of faith. To reject, contradict, or obstinately doubt any of these teachings is the sin of heresy, which would prevent one from licitly receiving Communion.

The other teachings of the Magisterium are non-infallible (limited possibility of error). We generally must give, not the full assent of faith, but the religious submission of will and intellect to non-infallible teachings. Some faithful dissent is possible without sin and certainly without heresy, on some points within the body of non-infallible teachings.

 

[kage_ar]

The Catechism speaks about Faith, and the levels of sins against faith:

Faith

2087 Our moral life has its source in faith in God who reveals his love to us. St. Paul speaks of the “obedience of faith” as our first obligation. He shows that “ignorance of God” is the principle and explanation of all moral deviations. Our duty toward God is to believe in him and to bear witness to him.

2088 The first commandment requires us to nourish and protect our faith with prudence and vigilance, and to reject everything that is opposed to it. There are various ways of sinning against faith:

Voluntary doubt about the faith disregards or refuses to hold as true what God has revealed and the Church proposes for belief. Involuntary doubt refers to hesitation in believing, difficulty in overcoming objections connected with the faith, or also anxiety aroused by its obscurity. If deliberately cultivated doubt can lead to spiritual blindness.

2089 *Incredulity *is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. “*Heresy *is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; *apostasy *is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; *schism *is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.”

 

[Langdell]

Voluntary doubt about the faith disregards or refuses to hold as true what God has revealed and the Church proposes for belief. Involuntary doubt refers to hesitation in believing, difficulty in overcoming objections connected with the faith, or also anxiety aroused by its obscurity. If deliberately cultivated doubt can lead to spiritual blindness.

That’s a helpful distinction. Thanks for finding these sections of the Catechism.

.

 

[Greg27]

I suppose the answer to this question would depend on how you understand personal assent to church teachings in certain issues, personal conscience and responsibility, and what happens when you do not or cannot assent to a certain church teaching. I am sure many will simply say if you refuse to assent to any teaching of the church for any reason, you are basically no longer a good and faithful Catholic and you have cut yourself off from the church. By virtue of cutting yourself off from the body of the church, you are no longer entitled to receive the sacraments, or at least you should not receive the Eucharist but you are still bound to do things such as attend mass and obey the usual percepts that apply to a practicing Catholic. This view though in my opinion is simplistic because even if we accepted every teaching and law down to the last letter, people in the course of life will be confronted with situations where it is very difficult to put the teaching into practice.

The church also seems to have a certain order in truths to be accepted. Some require the assent of faith (such as the Trinity and Incarnation and the real prescence of Christ in the eucharist) while others require the submission of mind and will. More recent church documents from the Vatican seem to strongly insist to be in proper communion with the church you have to accept all teachings by virtue of the divine authority and infallibility behind them, whether or not they require the assent of faith or religious submission of mind and will. Again though the problem is in the personal situation that confronts a person, conscience may dicate a decision that goes against church teaching.

I think the best way for the practicing Catholic to resolve such a situation is to discuss it with a pastor or confessor who understands the Catholic and their background very well. I think if you tried to run through the issue with someone who judges you very harshly and quickly there is the risk you will get a response that is more damaging to your faith than any dissent would be, especially if there is a lot of hostility and lack of charity and rash judgement on the part of the person you have consulted. An experienced pastor or confessor is usually aware of the obligation to be faithful to church teaching and also the need to be equitable to the person by applying the law or teaching to the case at hand.

I would be somewhat reluctant to ask such a sensitive question to strangers on a online forum since:

1. Strangers on an online forum do not know you, your history and your personal situation and characteristics well;
2. People who post at online forums in my observation often have a very rigid and simplistic view of laws and teachings to the point where the slightest questioning or dissent or departure from a church law or teaching is a very henious sin indeed and essentially makes you a traitor to the faith;
3. People online can at best only form a very limited understanding of the whole person and their situation because of the limits of internet communication (can’t observe emotion, body language, etc).

It is a lot more sensible in my view to ask such a question to your pastor/confessor or Catholic friends or family you know and trust well.

 

[una_fides]

A distinction must be made about following one’s conscience. We have a right to follow a well formed conscience, but if a conscience has not been formed around the truth, then it should not be obeyed. The Catholic faith is not a cafeteria and one cannot pick and choose. He must either accept it all or reject it all. If we accept the Church’s authority and have faith in the promises of Christ to always be with his Church to guide and lead her by the Holy Spirit, then the teachings of the Church, which Christ founded, will more easily be shown to be true.

Pope Benedict XV, Ad Beatissimi Apostolorum, November 1, 1914:
Such is the nature of Catholicism that it does not admit of more or less, but must be held as a whole or as a whole rejected: “This is the Catholic faith, which unless a man believe faithfully and firmly; he cannot be saved” (Athanas. Creed). papalencyclicals.net/Ben15/b15adbea.htm

Pope Gregory XVI, Mirari Vos, 15 August 1832:
“Now We consider another abundant source of the evils with which the Church is afflicted at present: indifferentism. This perverse opinion is spread on all sides by the fraud of the wicked who claim that it is possible to obtain the eternal salvation of the soul by the profession of any kind of religion, as long as morality is maintained. Surely, in so clear a matter, you will drive this deadly error far from the people committed to your care. With the admonition of the apostle that “there is one God, one faith, one baptism”(Ephesians 4,5) may those fear who contrive the notion that the safe harbor of salvation is open to persons of any religion whatever. They should consider the testimony of Christ Himself that “those who are not with Christ are against Him,” (Luke 11,23) and that they disperse unhappily who do not gather with Him. Therefore “without a doubt, they will perish forever, unless they hold the Catholic faith whole and inviolate.” (Symbol of Saint Athanasius) (…) This shameful font of indifferentism gives rise to that absurd and erroneous proposition which claims that liberty of conscience must be maintained for everyone. It spreads ruin in sacred and civil affairs, though some repeat over and over again with the greatest impudence that some advantage accrues to religion from it. “But the death of the soul is worse than freedom of error,” as Augustine was wont to say (Epistle 166)”
ewtn.com/library/encyc/g16mirar.htm

If you humbly research whatever teachings you may struggle with accepting or understanding and beg for light from heaven, then God will open your mind to be able to accept his truth. Pray to the Holy Spirit and ask the Blessed Virgin to intercede for you to be able obtain whatever graces you need as you seek the truth.

 

[una_fides]

If our “conscience” in the sense of inner feelings or whatever reasoning we have determined tells us to violate revelation or believe contrary to what God has revealed to us through his Church, then our “conscience” must then be made to conform to God and to his truth. We must be humble and docile to God and his revelation, which he has given to us through his Church.

 

[Corki]

If our “conscience” in the sense of inner feelings or whatever reasoning we have determined tells us to violate revelation or believe contrary to what God has revealed to us through his Church, then our “conscience” must then be made to conform to God and to his truth. We must be humble and docile to God and his revelation, which he has given to us through his Church.

Excellent way of putting it. And it may be helpful to remind that “consicience” is not a feeling or an emotion. Conscience is only valid when it is the result of careful reasoning.

 

[CLHDS]

Yes, dissent against Catholic doctrine is a mortal sin. Read the documents from the First Vatican Council. Vatican I was a doctrinal council while Vatican II was a pastoral one. In the Vatican I documents you will find explicit language that clearly sets forth that Catholics do not have the right to dissent from Catholic Doctrine. That’s why being a Cafeteria Catholic is just a form of moral relativism, they reject those teachings of the Church that interfere with their lifestyles. Following Church teachings isn’t always easy.

The Church’s teachings on life are very clear. Even though you don’t actively participate in abortion or euthanasia, if you speak out or act out in favor of these things before others you commit a serious sin of spreading scandel. Take a look at Catholic Politicians like Kathleen Sebelius, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry etc. These people all profess to be faithful Catholics but vote in favor of bills that promote abortion, euthanasia etc. On TV they claim to be Cathoic but their actions, even though they don’t actively participate in abortion or ethanasia, clearly spread scandel by misleading poorly formed Catholics as to what the Church teaches.

Take care!

Serviam,

Iowa Mike

Well SAID!!
I just want to add that when someone has not deeply studied the bible and explored the Catholic teachings then if you state something that is against the Catholic teachings it will hurt them deeply and contribute even for them to make a decision that might endanger that relationship with God.
We have the responsibility to express what we know to help other come out of their confusion. People need to start realizing that the road to GOD is not a nice walk in the country…NO!! It is hard and full of barriers and sacrifices and you need to be strong in your faith in order to stay in it.
The devil is deceiving and is using all the tools that we have created ourselves to lie and lure us into sin.
Open your eyes…To offend God is very easy, it takes almost nothing but his love and mercy are so BIG that if we honestly repent and try to find him, then he will be waiting with his open arms…the problem is How much time do we have left?

 

[Betterave]

Something else to consider is the idea that one’s conscience must always be obeyed. This is stated in The Catholic Catechism, by John A. Hardon, S.J., but I think it’s a basic principle of Catholic moral theology.

I vaguely remember reading this and thinking it was important and profound. If you have the actual quote or reference handy, I’d appreciate your sharing it. (If not, thanks anyway.)

 

[PJM]

=Rascalking-I hope this is the right place to post this. This is just a question I was thinking about in church this morning.

In the Missal I read, it gave rules for receiving holy communion. They state those Catholics being in Grave sin should not recieve. I got to thinking about this, and I do not have an answer…please help!

Is dissent against the church without doing the said action a grave sin?

Very likely but not always.

Examples-
Is just being pro choice (and never, ever, procuring or assisting in abortion) a grave sin in itself?

Do they vote pro choice? Do they share their views? Then YES and YES

Another example-Being in favor of Euthanasia (but never actually DOING it) a grave sin?

For the record, I am a pro-life, anti-euthenasia, anti emrboynic stem cell research, and generally don’t disagree with the church (I’m sure I have one or two disagreements here or there) so I don’t really have a dog in the fight. Just purely curious.

Thanks in advance!

The answer is yes. It condones murder and violates the Fifth Commanment. Thou shalt NOT kill.

From the Code of Canon Law

Can. 748 §1. All persons are bound to seek the truth in those things which regard God and his Church and by virtue of divine law are bound by the obligation and possess the right of embracing and observing the truth which they have come to know.

Can. 750 §1. A person must believe with divine and Catholic faith all those things contained in the word of God, written or handed on, that is, in the one deposit of faith entrusted to the Church, and at the same time proposed as divinely revealed either by the solemn magisterium of the Church or by its ordinary and universal magisterium which is manifested by the common adherence of the Christian faithful under the leadership of the sacred magisterium; therefore all are bound to avoid any doctrines whatsoever contrary to them.

§2. Each and every thing which is proposed definitively by the magisterium of the Church concerning the doctrine of faith and morals, that is, each and every thing which is required to safeguard reverently and to expound faithfully the same deposit of faith, is also to be firm-ly embraced and retained; therefore, one who rejects those propositions which are to be held definitively is opposed to the doctrine of the Catholic Church

Can. 751 Heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.

Can. 752 Although not an assent of faith, a religious submission of the intellect and will must be given to a doctrine which the Supreme Pontiff or the college of bishops declares concerning faith or morals when they exercise the authentic magisterium, even if they do not intend to proclaim it by definitive act; therefore, the Christian faithful are to take care to avoid those things which do not agree with it

In many cases yes, if one is aware [or can and should be aware] that what they are doing is a Mortal Sin.

Love and prayers,

 

[Iowa_Mike]

Excellent way of putting it. And it may be helpful to remind that “consicience” is not a feeling or an emotion. Conscience is only valid when it is the result of careful reasoning.

Careful reasoning and in conformance to Church doctrine.

Iowa Mike

 

[Langdell]

I vaguely remember reading this and thinking it was important and profound. If you have the actual quote or reference handy, I’d appreciate your sharing it. (If not, thanks anyway.)

Sure – I read it in an article in the Notre Dame Law Review entitled “Professional Responsibility for Catholic Lawyers: The Judgment of Conscience.” (The cite for the article is 71 Notre Dame Law Review 771 (1995-96).)

Here’s the actual quote from Fr. Hardon: “No dictum is more firmly entrenched in Christian morality than this: Conscience must always be obeyed.” It’s on page 292 of The Catholic Catechism (1975), by John A. Hardon, S.J.

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