MOVED: RCC Pastor Evangelism?

[Timmy_Z]

Within the RCC is there a reluctance of Priests to evangelize to non RCC?

I have twice called nearby RCC churches inviting the priests to my home to discus their faith (as sincerely desiring to learn about everyday practice of the RCC) and have been brushed off twice:
“I will pass your name to a deacon and he/she will get back to you when they get a chance (though it is summer so not too soon).”

-Tim

 

[RobNY]

Within the RCC is there a reluctance of Priests to evangelize to non RCC?

I have twice called nearby RCC churches inviting the priests to my home to discus their faith (as sincerely desiring to learn about everyday practice of the RCC) and have been brushed off twice:
“I will pass your name to a deacon and he/she will get back to you when they get a chance (though it is summer so not too soon).”

-Tim

You might be better off catching a priest after Mass to talk with him, if you’re genuinely interested in learning about the faith. Plus, you’d learn alot about Catholicism by going to Mass. Two for one.

-Rob

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Within the RCC is there a reluctance of Priests to evangelize to non RCC?

I have twice called nearby RCC churches inviting the priests to my home to discus their faith (as sincerely desiring to learn about everyday practice of the RCC) and have been brushed off twice:
“I will pass your name to a deacon and he/she will get back to you when they get a chance (though it is summer so not too soon).”

-Tim

Most parishes are “one man shows” so many times the pastor is very busy with other things. That is not to say that calling you is not important, passing you on to a deacon or lay member is not unusual. However there are also many pastors who feel one church is as good as any other and that we (Catholics) should not actively invite non-Catholic Christians to leave their present communities.

 

[Timmy_Z]

However there are also many pastors who feel one church is as good as any other and that we (Catholics) should not actively invite non-Catholic Christians to leave their present communities.

How do you find RCC pastors who believe their own faith?

Why are those who do not believe allowed to remain in it?

 

[scylla]

We always have had Priests who don’t live up to their calling, yet we also have many people who do too. We should be very charitable as they are humans and should be always called to reform and be more faithful to their calling in life, just as we are called to reform and allow God to change us. So unless someone is publically renouncing the faith or teaching contrary then proof to excommunicate is difficult to obtain.

You will find Priests who are very willing to evangelize and talk to you, and you might find some overworked Priests who really find it difficult to put you into their schedule.

We have many good and holy priests yet their main job is to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to offer themselves available for Confession. So it is perfectly all right for a layman to share the faith and exercise their own personal calling to be witnesses to Christ outside the Church and not just leave it up to the Priests, who frequently are overworked.

There are very many good holy evangelistic Catholics, yet there are also plenty of wimps out there who just do their time.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Steve_M]

I had the oppisite experience. Back in 2003 I decided to look into Catholicism, becaus I knew nothing about it. I emailed the parish down the street from me asking if there was someone I could talk to. My goal was to see wy Catholicism was wrong, so then I could decide which Protestant church to go to. I had dropped out of church for a few years after being Southern Baptist for about 27 years. I knew what I believed and I knew why I believed it, so it wasn’t going to be hard to refute Catholicism. After emailing the parish, the priest said he’d be glad to talk to me. I met him at his office a couple of Saturdays later, and we talked for about an hour. Over the next three months or so, I read about 25 books about Catholicism, both pro and con. I read apologetics and Church history. To make a long story short, about five months later, I came into communion with the Church. That’s a decision I’ve grown more sure of over time.

Now, regarding you’re issue. Maybe you should ask if you can go to the parish to talk to him, rather than inviting him to your house. It would most likely be easier for the priest to make time that way. I’m not saying he would, but that you might have a better chance that way if you’re serious about learning about Catholicism and discussing the faith.

 

[quiet52]

There are many overworked pastors. My pastor is very busy. Besides his parish tasks – visiting the sick, preparing his homilies, tending to the administrative duties, and trying to tend to the people asking for his time, he is assigned tasks by the bishop. He has only so much time and energy (physical and mental). He delegates when he can to parishioners trained and able to help him. Please don’t feel snubbed – perhaps the pastor you approached knew you’d get some great help from his deacon or RCIA crew.