Lay Ministers: Affirmation of Faith

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SElizabeth

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On the non-Catholic forum there was one thread that got derailed because one poster, who was an RCIA instructor, did not really subscribe to all the teachings of the Catholic Church. In our Diocese (Baker of eastern Oregon) we are asked to sign an Affirmation of Faith. It is great because anyone not truly believing in what the Church teaches is not allowed to be a Lay Minister. Here it is:
AFFIRMATION OF PERSONAL FAITH *
“I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church teaches, believes and proclaims to be revealed
by God.” In particular:
I affirm and believe the Church’s teaching about the inviolability of human life. In accord with that
teaching I affirm that human life is sacred and must be protected and respected from the moment of conception
until natural death. I affirm that I reject direct, intentional abortion and I do not recognize the legitimacy of
anyone’s claim to a moral right to form their own conscience in this matter. I am not pro-choice. I further
attest that I am not affiliated with, nor supportive of, any organization which supports, encourages, provides or
otherwise endorses abortion or euthanasia. (cf. CCC 2270-2283)
I affirm and believe the Church’s teaching about the sinfulness of contraception. I affirm, in accord
with the teachings of the Church that “every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its
accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a
means, to render procreation impossible” is intrinsically evil. (CCC 2370)
I affirm and believe that every person is called to chastity in accord with their present state of life and
that it is only in marriage between man and woman that the intimacy of spouses becomes a sign and pledge of
spiritual communion. (CCC 2337—2365) I accept the Church’s teaching that any extra-marital sexual relationships
are gravely evil and that these include pre-marital relations, masturbation, fornication, the viewing of
pornography and homosexual relations.
I affirm and believe the teaching of the Church about the evil of homosexual acts. I accept the formulation
in the Catechism which states: “Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as
acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.”
They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a
genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.” (CCC 2357)
I affirm and believe all that the Church teaches about the Reality and Presence of Christ in the Most
Holy Eucharist. Specifically I believe that Jesus is present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity under each of the
forms of bread and wine and that receiving either one is Communion with the whole Christ. I recognize that
worship and adoration are appropriate, not only during Mass but also outside of Mass and that the Most Holy
Eucharist must always be handled with the utmost care and devotion. (CCC 1373-1381)
I affirm and believe the teachings of the Church regarding Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of the
Church. I accept with the Church that it is fitting and proper to honor the Blessed Virgin with special devotion.
(CCC 963-975)
I affirm and believe that it is possible for a person to choose to remain separated from God for all
eternity and that “This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called
“hell.”” (CCC 1033)
I affirm and believe that those who die in God’s grace and friendship but are still imperfectly purified
undergo additional purification so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joys of heaven. I affirm
that the Church’s name for this final purification is Purgatory. (CCC 1030-1032)
I affirm and believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and embrace the teachings about
that Church as enunciated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (cf. CCC 748-962)
I affirm and believe that the Church teaches with God-given authority and that the promise of Christ
to remain with His Church always, until the end of time is a reality. I further acknowledge that those teachings
pronounced in a definitive manner, even though not as an infallible definition, are binding on the consciences
of the faithful and are to be adhered to with religious assent. (CCC 892)
To these and to all the teaching of the Catholic Church I give my assent. I attest that I believe
these things and, while I am aware of my own sinfulness and shortcomings, I strive in my beliefs and life
style to conform to this Affirmation of Personal of Faith.
  • The Church requires the making of a Profession of Faith by various persons when they undertake
    specific duties related to Church administration and teaching. (cf. Canon 833) In the Diocese of Baker this has
    been expanded to include those who take on the ecclesial duties of Catechist, Liturgical Reader, Cantor, Extraordinary
    Minister of Holy Communion and other Church positions which entail a presumption of orthodoxy.
    30
 
I don’t see anything wrong with this statement in general, or with requiring a subscription to some kind of doctrinal standard for those teaching or exercising any liturgical ministry.
 
Doesn’t the church already have measures in place by which to qualify Lay Ministers? I don’t see a need for this “affirmation of faith”, if qualifiers already exist.🙂
 
Yikes, I don’t think I could sign it. If you read my profile you will see that I am a state employee. The State supports abortion, at least around here. I think an employee is clearly affiliated with whomever employs them.
I further attest that I am not affiliated with, nor supportive of, any organization which supports, encourages, provides or otherwise endorses abortion or euthanasia.
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I think this would eliminate many potential lay ministers. Potentials include pharmacy workers, insurance industry employees, education workers, etc.
 
I would be the one that the op is refering to. No we never have to sign anything. In fact it was our Priest who ask me teach a couple of classes and join RCIA as an instructor. I have stated I do not teach anything but what the CC wants taught.
 
I know some Catholics in the Dioces of Baker who were deeply insulted by that requirement. It was not even that they did not believe those things, but that they were being asked to sign something about their beliefs when they had never expressed any doubts. It was like having your parents try to make you sign something that says you believe everything that they taught you as a child, and if you don’t they’re going to publicly embarass you. If one refuses to sign, has one just been forced to publicly confess to heresy, to being an “in house” apostate? Does the bishop require this because he really thinks we’re all closet apostates, that he’s the only one who really believes what the Church teaches? It’s not as if he’s simply asking for a blanket affirmation of what is in the catechism, either, which makes some suspicious of what he chose to include and what he chose to exclude…Why do we have to swear to CCC 2357, but not to CCC 2358*? Does the bishop have some sort of political agenda, that he’s interested in only one half of the what the Church teaches about homosexuality? Does he not think it important that a EMHC feels free to reject someone for being homosexual, in violation of the catechism? That kind of thing. I can understand the objections. It is kind of insulting.

I can see having something like that for those who are in a teaching position, when it says, “I will always teach that…such and so”, so that it is clear up front what they are required to teach and what they are forbidden from teaching. Otherwise, I think requiring a written affirmation of only a few selected beliefs of the Church does cross a line.

*2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
 
EasterJoy said:
I know some Catholics in the Dioces of Baker who were deeply insulted by that requirement. It was not even that they did not believe those things, but that they were being asked to sign something about their beliefs when they had never expressed any doubts.
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I agree, some (orthodox) would be offended to sign it. Also, I think some would sign it who didn’t believe it. I wonder if it would clear out many of the people they wish to clear out, or only a few?
 
Our Bishop is a very holy man. He has no ulterior motive. What he wants to accomplish with this Affirmation of Faith is to make sure that the people he puts in places of leadership in his diocese sincerely believe in what the Catholic Church believes in…in another words, I don’t believe he wants 'cafeteria" Catholics being in positions of great responsibility. He wants to keep the Church “pure”.
 
SElizabeth said:
Our Bishop is a very holy man. He has no ulterior motive. What he wants to accomplish with this Affirmation of Faith is to make sure that the people he puts in places of leadership in his diocese sincerely believe in what the Catholic Church believes in…in another words, I don’t believe he wants 'cafeteria" Catholics being in positions of great responsibility. He wants to keep the Church “pure”.
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The Diocese of Baker has a really good bishop. You are right: he is very intent upon teaching and defending the unvarnished truth. I have reason to believe this particular idea was not the best way to reach his goal, though. He is not one to try to become a political favorite, but I don’t think he has anything against diplomacy, either. Bishops are human, too, and Baker’s current bishop is a relatively young man. I cannot believe he foresaw some of these consequences, and chose to go for it, anyway. Maybe, but I doubt it. Who knows, though. That’s his call to make.

It is an interesting diocese, and not just in that there are pockets that would be considered politically “blue” and pockets that are politically “red”. There are also people there who have lived next to the same neighbors for generations (with all the social conventions that requires in order for family fueds and homicides to be avoided) and people who just moved in from who-knows-where. Lots of people from ranch families in the long-standing residents, lots of hikers and outdoors types in the late arrivals. I do not envy their bishop the sheep he’s got, for they are all highland sheep. Very tough, very durable, not afraid of hard work, very loyal when they feel their loyalty is due, but a bit unpredictable, too. Not farmyard sheep, that’s for sure. Very good people, but the bishop earns his keep, I think, too!
 
EasterJoy said:
If one refuses to sign, has one just been forced to publicly confess to heresy, to being an “in house” apostate?
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Since “silences betokens consent”, no, refusal to sign does not indicate a confession of anything.

Considering that a Christians life is to be lived so as to be a witness (teacher), anyone publicly in a “lay ministry”* role is a de facto teacher.
There is an eccleisological issue with the use of the term “lay ministry”, which I leave to the Vatican: On Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of the Priest
 
God Bless this faithful and brave Bishop.

We need dozens more just like him!
 
CDNowak said:
Since “silences betokens consent”, no, refusal to sign does not indicate a confession of anything.

Considering that a Christians life is to be lived so as to be a witness (teacher), anyone publicly in a “lay ministry”* role is a de facto teacher.
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Suffice it to say that some people quit rather than sign it, and there were hard feelings over it. Contrast this to having to submit to online training and criminal background checks in order to work with children or youth. I think that at the very least many were not convinced of the necessity of this requirement and didn’t like being forced to sign something when they were not convinced that the bishop had been left with no other choice.

Whether he did feel his back was against a wall or not…well, I am not privy to what kind of complaints he’d been getting or what the situation is there, which is as it should be. Let’s hope it was more of a “pre-emptive strike” on his part. Still, it is not fair to assume he had no compelling reason when there are at least some reasons that prudence would lead him not to make public.
 
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