Moral obligations to Catholics in error

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Matthew91

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I have this online friend who is Catholic who is sadly not on board with the Church in regards to all of Church teaching, as far as I know, he believes in the creed, but he makes a distinction between Vatican theology and Catholic theology I think, and as such he is not on board with the Church in various instances such as birth control, opposition to homosexual sex, and other things I’m sure. My question is what is my moral obligation to this friend? He knows his beliefs are in conflict with the Church hierarchy, and I state clearly what Church teaching is when we engage in discussions on such issues even though he has a different view of what doctrines need to be believed by Catholics. To what extent am I morally obliged to intervene in his spiritual life? Should I be reminding him of at the very least the grave matter of what his beliefs entail? He knows some of his beliefs are in opposition to the Magisterium, and persists in them regardless. Should I advise him to refrain from communion? Must I notify him that the Church levels the penalty of automatic excommunication for formal heresy when it is an external violation of canon law? Even if I were to inform him of this, even this may not impede him. 🤷 Or should I leave these things to his parents (his family is Catholic) and competent spiritual authorities? I want to do the right and thing, and not be implicated in his wrongs by not doing what I ought to in regards to informing him of things.
 
Matthew91 said:
I have this online friend who is Catholic who is sadly not on board with the Church in regards to all of Church teaching, as far as I know, he believes in the creed, but he makes a distinction between Vatican theology and Catholic theology I think, and as such he is not on board with the Church in various instances such as birth control, opposition to homosexual sex, and other things I’m sure. My question is what is my moral obligation to this friend? He knows his beliefs are in conflict with the Church hierarchy, and I state clearly what Church teaching is when we engage in discussions on such issues even though he has a different view of what doctrines need to be believed by Catholics. To what extent am I morally obliged to intervene in his spiritual life? Should I be reminding him of at the very least the grave matter of what his beliefs entail? He knows some of his beliefs are in opposition to the Magisterium, and persists in them regardless. Should I advise him to refrain from communion? Must I notify him that the Church levels the penalty of automatic excommunication for formal heresy when it is an external violation of canon law? Even if I were to inform him of this, even this may not impede him. 🤷 Or should I leave these things to his parents (his family is Catholic) and competent spiritual authorities? I want to do the right and thing, and not be implicated in his wrongs by not doing what I ought to in regards to informing him of things.
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It is my understanding that you have absolutely no obligation to him so far as his spiritual life is concerned. You have an obligation to teach, and to express the truth whenever you two are debating, but that’s where it ends.

You cannot know what is in his mind or heart, so I don’t think you have the authority to tell him he shouldn’t receive communion. You could mention that that church has specific requirements for receiving communion (no mortal sins, specifically) and suggest he talk to a priest about it; but if it would cause a problem between the two of you, prudence suggests that you not push it.

Your concern is your own soul, not your friends. There’s only so much you can do, and from what you wrote, it sounds like you are doing it. If this were a child, or a spouse, then the requirements would be different; but since it’s a friend, there’s not too much you can/must do.

I’ll also tell you not to worry, you’re not being complicit. These are his choices, and it is up to him to make them. As I said, all you can do is tell him the Truth; it’s up to him whether or not he chooses to live by it; you have no moral culpability so long as your don’t direct him away from the Church’s teachings.
 
You should be concerned about your friend’s soul. Two of my closest friends, a married couple, experienced a problem. My friend, her husband, raised Catholic like me, went through an atheist phase. Me and his wife agreed to pray for him. I wasn’t confrontational with him but he let me know he was angry with the Church about some things and nothing I said seemed to help. So we just prayed. As far as I know, there were no confrontations within his family.

Our obligation is to be our brother’s friend, and just tell them the truth. Once we have done that, pray, and let God bring light into their hearts. My friend that I mentioned is now an usher at his local Catholic Church.

Hope this helps,
Ed
 
CaptFun responds in RED
Matthew91 said:
I have this online friend who is Catholic who is sadly not on board with the Church in regards to all of Church teaching, as far as I know, he believes in the creed, but he makes a distinction between Vatican theology and Catholic theology I think, and as such he is not on board with the Church in various instances such as birth control, opposition to homosexual sex, and other things I’m sure.
“There are not more than 100 people in the world who truly hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they perceive to be the Catholic Church.” – Fulton Sheen
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“Mind your own business” is sometimes a very good policy. Sometimes it can lead us to
“not doing the good” we could have. This might be a time when aspects of Ezekiel 33 apply.
Ezekiel 33:7 You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.
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8 If I tell the wicked man that he shall surely die, and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked man from his way, he (the wicked man) shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.
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9 But if you warn the wicked man, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself.
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HOW we warn is another matter. Charity is always in order. But one doesn’t whisper “A Tsunami is coming this way” in a matter of fact tone and get credit for a warning.

I’m sure I’ve “warned wrong” at times. But I have been guilty of “withholding a warning” too.

To do this right … remember the best, most charitable warning or correction you’ve ever gotten that has changed your life for the better. Pray for your friend, be ready to give him the very best answers possible if he asks you something (or tells you something) again.

*“Lord, strengthen your gift of Counsel in me … and knowledge, and wisdom, and understanding etc” :gopray:
*
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Matthew91 said:
I have this online friend who is Catholic who is sadly not on board with the Church in regards to all of Church teaching, as far as I know, he believes in the creed, but he makes a distinction between Vatican theology and Catholic theology I think, and as such he is not on board with the Church in various instances such as birth control, opposition to homosexual sex, and other things I’m sure. My question is what is my moral obligation to this friend? He knows his beliefs are in conflict with the Church hierarchy, and I state clearly what Church teaching is when we engage in discussions on such issues even though he has a different view of what doctrines need to be believed by Catholics. To what extent am I morally obliged to intervene in his spiritual life? Should I be reminding him of at the very least the grave matter of what his beliefs entail? He knows some of his beliefs are in opposition to the Magisterium, and persists in them regardless. Should I advise him to refrain from communion? Must I notify him that the Church levels the penalty of automatic excommunication for formal heresy when it is an external violation of canon law? Even if I were to inform him of this, even this may not impede him. 🤷 Or should I leave these things to his parents (his family is Catholic) and competent spiritual authorities? I want to do the right and thing, and not be implicated in his wrongs by not doing what I ought to in regards to informing him of things.
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When dealing with your friend, keep in mind that his point of view is as valid as yours. You can only know what is right for you. Show him enough respect to acknowledge that he is on his own spiritual journey, which only he may choose.

If you would like to attract him to your point of view, then do so by example, and by discussion. Perhaps he will come to see things your way, or for that matter, you may come to see them his way… or none of the above.
 
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