More people should talk to their priests first

[John92]

I just really think that more people should talk to their priests before they start a thread here. It’s not that the members here aren’t often knowledgeable and helpful, but priests are God’s ordained shepherds, and I think it would really be better to talk to them before you come here.

 

[Wowbagger]

I dunno. We are all part of the Church, after all, all part of the body of Christ. Though that phrase is often abused by post-Vatican II radicals to try to destroy the Church, it’s still true that we are all part of the Church, and we’re all supposed to have one another’s back. This place gives us a chance to be an active part of the Church Militant.

Plus, the people here bring a very wide range of perspectives to bear on any given question, and have the additional plus of knowing a whole lot of stuff with which, at least around these parts, many priests simply aren’t familiar.

There’s also the simple advantage of the internet: for most of us (those of us who don’t indirectly reveal their identities through their signatures, unlike me) this is an anonymous way to communicate with other Catholics. I think there are a lot of issues talked about here that, for many of us, it would be unimaginably awkward and difficult to talk over with a local priest. Sometimes that’s pure shame and self-consciousness; other times it’s a genuine lack of trust – often well-founded – for this priest or that one’s pastoral abilities. (I think this is one reason why we get so many masturbation threads here.)

Lastly, when priestly intervention is really appropriate, I’ve found the forumgoers here quick to say, “Here’s my advice, but you really need to talk to a priest about this.” Sometimes I’ve even seen people come here looking for help getting up the courage to talk to a priest. It works.

Basically, I think this forum does a world of good, and it lets Catholics learn, grow, and support one another in Christian love while complementing – not contradicting – the institutional structure of the parish or the importance of the priest.

 

[aspawloski4th]

Talk to my priest about what? On most subjects I post about here, I am better read than most priests. Are you sugesting we can’t think for our selves? I can think for myself just fine. It would be an insult to my parents to sugest not thinking for myself.

 

[roveau]

I dunno. We are all part of the Church, after all, all part of the body of Christ. Though that phrase is often abused by post-Vatican II radicals to try to destroy the Church, it’s still true that we are all part of the Church, and we’re all supposed to have one another’s back. This place gives us a chance to be an active part of the Church Militant.

Plus, the people here bring a very wide range of perspectives to bear on any given question, and have the additional plus of knowing a whole lot of stuff with which, at least around these parts, many priests simply aren’t familiar.

There’s also the simple advantage of the internet: for most of us (those of us who don’t indirectly reveal their identities through their signatures, unlike me) this is an anonymous way to communicate with other Catholics. I think there are a lot of issues talked about here that, for many of us, it would be unimaginably awkward and difficult to talk over with a local priest. Sometimes that’s pure shame and self-consciousness; other times it’s a genuine lack of trust – often well-founded – for this priest or that one’s pastoral abilities. (I think this is one reason why we get so many masturbation threads here.)

Lastly, when priestly intervention is really appropriate, I’ve found the forumgoers here quick to say, “Here’s my advice, but you really need to talk to a priest about this.” Sometimes I’ve even seen people come here looking for help getting up the courage to talk to a priest. It works.

Basically, I think this forum does a world of good, and it lets Catholics learn, grow, and support one another in Christian love while complementing – not contradicting – the institutional structure of the parish or the importance of the priest.

Well said Wowbagger.

The other thing is that a lot of the questions here are of a simple nature … sometimes trivial and there is nothing wrong with that… You know, priests have a lot of demands made on their time.

To me CAF is like having a lot of friends who are actually interested in topics relating to our Catholic lives. CAF has been a great blessing to me but if I have a weighty question I take it to the priests as well.

 

[Corki]

There are some cases where people have personal issues that need to be handled directly with thier pastors. But most of the questions posted here have to do with news stories, friends and family or hypothetical situations. Our priests are too busy to answer these types of questions. As long as we keep the pressure on for posters to back up opinons with real Church teaching and documentation, this is a great way to learn.

 

[Molly123]

Our Priest is always very busy, any tiem I have been to the office on a weekday he has people waiting for him, plus he has 3 Parishes to take care of ( ours, teh big one & two small rural Churches. Any how, I grew up in Europe there fore I have an accent. My Priest is from the Philippines, I love him, but I’m not sure he always understands what I say when we exchange niceties after Mass each week. So, on a more complicated issue I’d rather just type it, so no misunderstandings> Some of my friends who also are non native English speakers, also have problems understanding me, their ear is attuned to American accents, & any deviation is hard for them. Thye speak very good English, but listening is a differrent mater. They wouldn’t admit it, but I can tell by the answers I get sometimes.

 

[diggerdomer]

I just really think that more people should talk to their priests before they start a thread here. It’s not that the members here aren’t often knowledgeable and helpful, but priests are God’s ordained shepherds, and I think it would really be better to talk to them before you come here.

Did you bring this up with your priest before posting?

 

[HNA444]

Did you bring this up with your priest before posting?

lol… yea i know. First, that is pretty offending, because everyone here is Catholic and into their faith. Second, our priests are not there every second of the day to answer all the questions we have. And, there is nothing wrong with asking others who are religious and knowledgeable for advice. My priest actually suggested asking people who are religious and Catholic for advice and support.

 

[Newbie2]

Talk to my priest about what? On most subjects I post about here, I am better read than most priests. Are you sugesting we can’t think for our selves? I can think for myself just fine. It would be an insult to my parents to sugest not thinking for myself.

Well, la-de-da.

Seriously, I agree with the previous posts. Some matters are better discussed with one’s priest, but for general discussion on matters of the faith, this is a great forum to kick around ideas and problems.

I do cringe a bit when posts like “Is this a sin” come up, and a bunch of lay people jump in and make a judgment, quoting chapter and verse of some vatican document and waving it all over the place. But, sometimes forumites need guidance as to what to confess and what not to confess, and I guess that’s OK. It’s the legalistic, almost Pharaseeic attitudes by some lay posters here that bother me personally.

 

[John92]

Well alright then . . .

I’m just saying that a priest’s job is to represent Christ within his parish, and honestly it’s more than a little disturbing (not to mention un-Catholic) how many of you distrust/think-you-know-better-than your priest. I mean if a priest says something that you think is fishy by all means check up on it, but still . . .

For a bunch of traditionalists and conservatives you sure are ignorant on the role of the priest in salvation

 

[puzzleannie]

I just really think that more people should talk to their priests before they start a thread here. It’s not that the members here aren’t often knowledgeable and helpful, but priests are God’s ordained shepherds, and I think it would really be better to talk to them before you come here.

I agree heartily esp on the morality forum, and definitely if the post is one that begins by challenging or questioning what a priest has taught, and mandatory if it is about what poster has been told by the priest in confession. Any doubts about the matter for confession or the sacrament itself should first and foremost always be discussed between the penitent and the priest. If you don’t understand or disagree with what he said it is essential for your spiritual health that you dicsuss it with him.

coming to strangers, no matter how well informed or well intentioned they may be, on a forum like this to monday-morning quarterback your confession is detrimental to your spiritual health.

 

[kage_ar]

I’ve yet to meet a priest who will say “I am too busy” to speak to you - now, he may need to get back to you on an answer, but, they always find time to be a pastor.

 

[Wowbagger]

I do cringe a bit when posts like “Is this a sin” come up, and a bunch of lay people jump in and make a judgment, quoting chapter and verse of some vatican document and waving it all over the place. But, sometimes forumites need guidance as to what to confess and what not to confess, and I guess that’s OK. It’s the legalistic, almost Pharaseeic attitudes by some lay posters here that bother me personally.

Oh, that’s my favorite part of this forum!

There’s certainly a temptation to become unhealthily legalistic around here, but, for the most part, I have found the discussions of subtle moral points to be charitable, free-spirited, and very, very smart. I know there’s a certain subset that finds the whole idea of arguing over morality discomfiting, and I know even I sometimes feel a bit odd and convoluted when explaining the correct hoops to jump through if, say, a Catholic couple needs to get sperm tested (see the other thread on this). But let’s remember: we live in territory occupied by the Enemy. Even if we are genuine followers of Christ (and who among us can say that we are any more than half-hearted, highly fallible sympathizers?), the Enemy propaganda that swirls around us inevitably forms preconceptions and assumptions that mislead our common sense and undermine our consciences. The moral law, as defined by the Catholic Church, is our last, best hope of actually restoring our misguided consciences despite our own unconscious inclinations to follow the tide.

That is to say, a certain amount of argument about what the law says and means, sometimes in great detail, and often with legal citations from this council or that thirteenth-century papal bull, is not only permissible, but is appropriate and healthy for any group who hopes to follow Christ. The Law is the only thing that can save us from gradual subversion by Enemy propaganda.

So, I’m sorry to disagree. I love the legal fights, as long as they’re charitable, joyously carried out, and not hypocritcal or Phariseetical. However, I know that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s as it should be. The Church needs canon lawyers and missionaries and mystics and professionals and good old parish priests, right?

 

[Newbie2]

Exactly. I saw a publication recently with a brief article on how individuals are generally catagorized in their spirituality “preferences”; some get a lot out of meditation, centering prayer, liturgy, academics, etc, and we need them (us) all.

 

[Wowbagger]

I’d like to read that. You have a link?

Thanks!

 

[aspawloski4th]

Well alright then . . .

I’m just saying that a priest’s job is to represent Christ within his parish, and honestly it’s more than a little disturbing (not to mention un-Catholic) how many of you distrust/think-you-know-better-than your priest. I mean if a priest says something that you think is fishy by all means check up on it, but still . . .

For a bunch of traditionalists and conservatives you sure are ignorant on the role of the priest in salvation

If a priest was guarenteed to give the correct answer on a given subject you’d have an arguement, but in a day and age where a dozen priests will give you a dozen different answers One would end up priest shopping and getting the answer they want anyway.

 

[rusty20]

I just really think that more people should talk to their priests before they start a thread here. It’s not that the members here aren’t often knowledgeable and helpful, but priests are God’s ordained shepherds, and I think it would really be better to talk to them before you come here.

While I understand where you’re coming from, there is probably a decent chance (given my experience) that you will get an answer that does not exactly fall in line with the Church if you ask a priest. This is not always the case, but it is definitely not rare. Many Catholics do not believe the full teachings of the Church, and the same goes for priests.

 

[Newbie2]

I’d like to read that. You have a link?

Thanks!

I’ll look around for it; maybe I could fax it to you if you PM me your fax number. I think it was in an issue of “Catholic Update” in the last year, but I’m not 100% and I don’t know if it’s available online.

It was just a little article, one that I’d normally have skimmed over, but it validated my feelings over the past 35 years.

 

[Lorrie]

I agree heartily esp on the morality forum, and definitely if the post is one that begins by challenging or questioning what a priest has taught, and mandatory if it is about what poster has been told by the priest in confession. Any doubts about the matter for confession or the sacrament itself should first and foremost always be discussed between the penitent and the priest. If you don’t understand or disagree with what he said it is essential for your spiritual health that you dicsuss it with him.

coming to strangers, no matter how well informed or well intentioned they may be, on a forum like this to monday-morning quarterback your confession is detrimental to your spiritual health.