MERGED: Priest Implies Support for Error During Mass

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Humble Christian Greetings,

Though a cradle Catholic, I have only recently come back to the Church. And despite still having much to learn about our wonderful and rich Faith, even my scant knowledge was enough for me to realize that I heard something seriously wrong during Easter vigil this past Saturday.

Right after several catechumens were baptized, the priest made a sort of joke about the altar boys being future priests, “but not our altar girl.” Then he added, “but that may change someday,” which statement actually received some applause.

But how could it change when Pope John Paul II taught infallibly that the Church does not have the scriptural authority to ordain women as priests? Needless to say, a priest’s implying otherwise during a solemn service made me cringe. Having pastors do and say whatever they want, instead of deferring to a higher authority, is one of the things I find detestable about Protestantism. I certainly did not expect this type of blatant doctrinal deviancy from a Catholic priest.

At this point, I would like to say that, personally, I would not mind having women as priests. But, though certainly a sinner, I am humble enough to realize that my personal feelings are meaningless when comes to deciding doctrine. Rather, the Catholic Church relies on the Word of God and on sacred tradition, as interpreted by the Successor of Saint Peter with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I would like ask for the advice of any faithful Catholic who may read this. Being in practice a newcomer to the Catholic Faith, who has not even been confirmed yet, it seems unfitting for me to rock the boat and make some sort of complaint? So what should I do? Find another parish? Is there a site that reviews parishes and discusses whether the pastors there are faithful to Catholic teachings?

God bless all,

F.K. Juliano
 
fkjuliano said:
Humble Christian Greetings,

Though a cradle Catholic, I have only recently come back to the Church. And though, I still have much to learn about our wonderful but very complex Faith, even my scant knowledge was enough for me to realize that I heard something seriously wrong during Easter vigil this past Saturday.

Right after several catechumens were baptized, the priest made a sort of joke about the altar boys being future priests, “but not our altar girl.” Then he added, “but that may change someday,” which statement actually received some applause.

But how could it change when Pope John Paul II taught infallibly that the Church does not have the scriptural authority to ordain women as priests? Needless to say, a priest’s implying otherwise during a solemn service made me cringe. Having pastors do and say whatever they want, instead of deferring to a higher authority, is one of the things I find detestable about Protestantism. I certainly did not expect this type of blatant doctrinal deviancy from a Catholic priest.

At this point, I would like to say that, personally, I would not mind having women as priests. But, though certainly a sinner, I am humble enough to realize that my personal feelings are meaningless when comes to deciding doctrine. Rather, the Catholic Church relies on the Word of God and on sacred tradition, as interpreted by the Successor of Saint Peter with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I would like ask for the advice of any faithful Catholic who may read this. Being in practice a newcomer to the Catholic Faith, who has not even been confirmed yet, it seems unfitting for me to rock the boat and make some sort of complaint? So what should I do? Find another parish? Is there a site that reviews parishes and discusses whether the pastors there are faithful to Catholic teachings?

God bless all,

F.K. Juliano
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The first thing I would probably do is email the priest about how uncomfortable you were with what he said. What he said would’ve made me quite uncomfortable. If he continues this way after telling him how you felt, then it might be a good idea to find another parish. Or, you could just brush it off and hope something like that doesn’t happen again.

Thinking about it, I don’t think he meant to make people uncomfortable or meant that it’s likely it will happen, but I think he meant it’s not virtually impossible.

However, I would still email him about it and state what you feel about it.

God Bless and Good Luck.
 
fkjuliano said:
Right after several catechumens were baptized, the priest made a sort of joke about the altar boys being future priests, “but not our altar girl.” Then he added, “but that may change someday,” which statement actually received some applause.
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Even if it was meant in jest, it was in poor taste, and keeps alive the misguided hope that there will be priestesses. The fact that there was applause isn`t good.

If the priest tells you that he thinks theres still a chance for "priestesses", id go elsewhere. He`d be upholding heresy.

**The Church is the Bride of Christ; and the priest acts in Christ`s place. A woman cannot take the place of the Bridegroom. As someone said: “It would be liturgical lesbianism.”, apart from being invalid.
 
I know exactly how you feel. Unfortunately, I have also heard this sort of thing from the pulpit. I have not complained about this sort of thing because I don’t think it would help. The only thing I would advise is for you to pray for this priest. Many priests are in a state of silent apostasy; many do not believe in the doctrines of the faith. This is nothing new; we’ve always had bad priests, but I think it is more widespread these days. As I said, the most effective thing we can do is pray for priests.
 
CatholicZ09;6490602]The first thing I would probably do is email the priest about how uncomfortable you were with what he said. What he said would’ve made me quite uncomfortable. If he continues this way after telling him how you felt, then it might be a good idea to find another parish. Or, you could just brush it off and hope something like that doesn’t happen again.
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Yes, you could also inform the local bishop.
 
First, I’d like to say that there never should be, or never will be female priests. Such a statement from a priest would have greatly disturbed me, particularly at the Easter Vigil where he is bringing new Faithful individuals into the Church. I hope the priest has already seen his Confessor. And the applause - that indicates some serious Faith issues in that parish, in my opinion. As a new member, I would immediately wonder if I were in the right place.

I would not e-mail the priest. I would first speak with him privately, face to face. As scripture suggests, if that got no satisfactory response, I would approach him a second time with others who felt the same way. He has taken a vow of obedience to the Authority and teachings of the Church. If he still has no change of heart, I would contact the bishop. I would also seek a new parish until this priest is removed. Sadly, I think there are misinformed Catholics everywhere, so you may hear a few people applaud such a statement in any congregation. Priests, however, should be upholding Church teaching, and encouraging the same from his congregation. A priest should not be the source of such heresy, rather, he should do what he can to bring a stop to it.
 
LindaSK said:
I would not e-mail the priest. I would first speak with him privately, face to face. As scripture suggests, if that got no satisfactory response, I would approach him a second time with others who felt the same way. He has taken a vow of obedience to the Authority and teachings of the Church. If he still has no change of heart, I would contact the bishop. I would also seek a new parish until this priest is removed. Sadly, I think there are misinformed Catholics everywhere, so you may hear a few people applaud such a statement in any congregation. Priests, however, should be upholding Church teaching, and encouraging the same from his congregation. A priest should not be the source of such heresy, rather, he should do what he can to bring a stop to it.
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That is exactly the proper course to take. Faithful Catholics should not be forced out of their parishes, although finding another one is better than staying home. If more parishioners raised objections to breaches in Church teaching we wouldn’t have things like altar girls and Communion in hand now.
 
I think this priest may have realized too late that he was in for an ear-chewing about his initial honest comment about the all-male priesthood, and so made an ill-advised back-pedal. As much as I wish a priest, of all people, could encourage boys into the priesthood at any opportunity whatsoever, this is just one more demonstration that off-hand remarks inserted into the liturgy can only cause trouble. Better to stick to what’s in red and black, and leave the cute remarks and personal opinions until Mass is over, when one can clarify what one means on the spot.

Although he should not have said it might change when Rome has said no such thing is going to happen, I wouldn’t leave a parish on account of one imprudent off-hand comment. You could ask why he raised the possiblity it could change when Rome has said it won’t, but I doubt it would change much. Better to save complaints for matters of more import, like more developed thoughts made in the context of a homily.
 
Thanks to you all for the taking the time to respond. All your responses contained wisdom and truth. I believe I will follow Easter Joy’s advice, as I think it is the best course in this particular instance. I will also pray for the priest in question, as I have no reason to think he is not a sincere servant of God, despite having made a serious error.
 
fkjuliano said:
Right after several catechumens were baptized, the priest made a sort of joke about the altar boys being future priests, “but not our altar girl.” Then he added, “but that may change someday,”
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I’m afraid that might actually be one of the consequences of inviting girls to serve at the altar; I mean, the perception that someday they’ll be allowed to be ordained.
 
Ockham said:
That is exactly the proper course to take. Faithful Catholics should not be forced out of their parishes, although finding another one is better than staying home. If more parishioners raised objections to breaches in Church teaching we wouldn’t have things like altar girls and Communion in hand now.
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Nonsense. Female altar servers and communion in the hand are practices approved by the Church (from the Vatican).
 
diggerdomer said:
Nonsense. Female altar servers and communion in the hand are practices approved by the Church (from the Vatican).
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I think the argument is that these originally were abuses not permitted by the law, but because they had become widespread the Vatican finally gave in and permitted them formally. So, if we don’t want some other abuse X, we need to stamp X out where it occurs or the Vatican may wind up regularizing it too.

To what extent the claim is true historically, I’m not entirely certain, but I think that this is the claim.
 
Hi all

so, I just got back from Mass. I am highly upset, and worried ATM - but I am going to do my best to make sense anyway - lol.

So, I’m at Mass, the deacon gets up to read the Gospel, and say the Homily (after the proper form/blessing was given by our priest). Does so…then starts his Homily - He proceeds to teach “Judas was born to betray Christ, as Thomas was born to become doubting Thomas” Um - excuse me? Holy Mother Church does NOT teach predetermination. Predestination yes - which states…God KNOWS ALREADY what choice you will make before you even know you have a choice. This is (part of) what makes Him God. God does NOT ‘script’ our lives thereby making him a petty puppeteer.

THEN

Out or nowhere, this “The Eucharist was not known as the body of Christ for the first 1200 years” WHAT???

Can somebody please PLEASE give me an alternate possible meaning for these Heresies?

Or tell me what I should do? I don’t know which fact upsets me more - the fact that he taught it, and therefore someone also taught him that - or that Fr just sat there and didn’t say anything to correct it!!

HELP!!! Am I missing something? Please tell me I’m missing something!!

Pax

John
 
PraRFLEsEkHm said:
Hi all

so, I just got back from Mass. I am highly upset, and worried ATM - but I am going to do my best to make sense anyway - lol.

So, I’m at Mass, the deacon gets up to read the Gospel, and say the Homily (after the proper form/blessing was given by our priest). Does so…then starts his Homily - He proceeds to teach “Judas was born to betray Christ, as Thomas was born to become doubting Thomas” Um - excuse me? Holy Mother Church does NOT teach predetermination. Predestination yes - which states…God KNOWS ALREADY what choice you will make before you even know you have a choice. This is (part of) what makes Him God. God does NOT ‘script’ our lives thereby making him a petty puppeteer.

THEN

Out or nowhere, this “The Eucharist was not known as the body of Christ for the first 1200 years” WHAT???

Can somebody please PLEASE give me an alternate possible meaning for these Heresies?

Or tell me what I should do? I don’t know which fact upsets me more - the fact that he taught it, and therefore someone also taught him that - or that Fr just sat there and didn’t say anything to correct it!!

HELP!!! Am I missing something? Please tell me I’m missing something!!

Pax

John
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I would just approach either him or the Pastor and ask for calrification?
 
Ask your priest. It may be that there is an explanation, but without hearing the whole homily I wouldn’t know. It may be that you mis-heard. Or that your priest has corrected the deacon in private. It will hopefully be that his rhetorical style is just not very clear and that he was not in fact teaching heresy. Let us know what your priest says.
 
The Eucharist was known as the Body of Christ much earlier. Check out this link:

therealpresence.org/eucharst/father/a5.html

If this type of homily continues, make sure others in your parish start listening. Make them aware of the change that is taking place and gather a small group of about 7 to 12 to draw strength from as you endure this trial. At some point, begin approaching the pastor and deacon with the issues, in a calm and polite manner. Show them the facts and how it is conflicts with Church teaching.

They will rebuke you. They may state they have permission to teach as they do. Ask to see this permission. You will not see it.

Start writing to the pastor and deacon. You will get no response most likely. Go up to the bishop next. You will also not get a response most likely. Go, with facts, in short clear messages to the Congregation of The Doctrine of The Faith at the Vatican. You can get their address from the vatican website - Vatican.va.

You have a right to a proper mass! Do not give up now. Your unaware fellow parishioners are depending on you, whether they know it or not.
 
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