Leaving the church

[Gorgias]

#26 That he who is not at peace with the Roman church shall not be considered catholic.

Gregory VII: Dictatus Papae 1090
fordham.edu/halsall/source/g7-dictpap.asp

Hmm… this would seem to be applicable to those who wish to continue calling themselves ‘Catholic’, even though they aren’t in union with the Pope. In other words, you can’t go around presenting yourself as in union with the Pope if this is not the case.

Moreover, this decree, if authentic, was set prior to the Reformation, so it would seem problematic to apply it to a post-Reformation context.

Once a Catholic, always a Catholic. (For that matter, once a (baptized) Christian, always a Christian…)

 

[twopekinguys]

I found this on the Vatican website. It will either clear up the whole thing, or muddy it up even more.

Read it here.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I found this on the Vatican website. It will either clear up the whole thing, or muddy it up even more.

Read it here.

I’d like to compare that with what the Church has taught in the First Millennium.

 

[kentuckyliz]

I will leave the religious question to others.

I am more concerned about you. Wherever you go, there you are. Please seek out counseling from a source you trust. There is a deeper healing needed–to explore why you would tolerate abuse, and how to heal that so you won’t ever again. Abusers and the abused find each other. A healing in this area will ensure that you never roll out the welcome mat for an abuser ever again.

Otherwise, in a few years’ time, you’ll be on a [fill in the denomination] website, asking how to quit the church, because you only joined because your next abusive fiancee forced you to.

I say this in love and wish you peace. :console:

 

[joanofarc2008]

My abusive ex-husband was my sponsor for my conversion into the Catholic Church. However, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. It took switching parishes. It took deepening my own faith. If you would like to PM and discuss this I would be happy to do so.

 

[Irishgal49]

ok, so what can i do to get excommunicated. I only joined while in an abusive relationship, I was controlled and he said he wouldnt marry me unless I joined his church. I’ve left him months prior to the scheduled wedding and going for mass only brings bad memories to me and I have not grown spiritually. I am a Christian and believe in God, but honestly this church isnt for me.

Malik: Have you talked to a priest? Please do. He can help you sort things out. Sometimes changing parishes helps. Talk to someone about what it is that you feel makes the Church “not for you”. Is there some particular worship? Teaching? Practice? Belief? I will be up front (and probably be sliced and diced) but I don’t agree with everything the Church teaches myself. I’m praying and trying to draw closer to God, but God understands if the scars we have prevent us from fully signing on the dotted line. I’d hate to see you walk away without talking to a priest.

What Diocese are you in? Maybe someone on here might be able to private message you a caring priest in case you don’t feel comfortable talking to the one in the parish where you were going. I would think I wouldn’t want to attend the same church as my ex. I am praying for you.

Lorrie

 

[Irishgal49]

Let me repeat this again. A sacramentally baptised Catholic is a Catholic forever. Any Catholic who turns their back on the Church and walks away remains a Catholic but is a Catholic in a state of mortal sin.
Why are you trying so hard to convince everyone otherwise. Is this topic personal?

If someone converted under pressure and duress that would leave their conversion in question. The OP needs to talk to a priest not listen to people battling out their personal views on this forum. A little affirmation and support for a woman who was very courageous in being honest with us would be in order here. Please put away the canon law book and show some heart. She needs a priest to evaluate her situation.

 

[Lapey]

To all those on this thread who who have said there really is no way to leave the Church and once a Catholic always a Catholic and that even excommunicated Catholics are Catholics, and aren’t using quotation marks, I applaud you. :clapping:

Well hello there Matt! Haven’t chatted with you in quite some time, glad to see your posts! I know this forum is not your normal spot to post so welcome!

You know how I fell on this particular subject, Catholic, cannot be washed off!!! Instead of OSAS, I say OCAC…once saved always saved as opposed to to once Catholic always Catholic! Most tell me that they have renounced their faith. One can renounce all they want but in God’s eyes, they are still Catholic.