New Catholic supports abortion

[DKIN]

I hope I am posting this in the correct forum. If not, please feel free to move to more appropriate place.

I’m not sure what I should do if anything and could use some advice. I am a former Southern Baptist who completed RCIA class earlier this year and am currently awaiting an annulment before I can fully enter the church with my wife. Our daughter was baptized Catholic during Easter Vigil.

One of my fellow RCIA classmates made it known during our class that she struggled with the Catholic position on gay marriage and abortion. None of my business, but I do feel that the class leadership (who by the way were terrific overall) should have taken her aside privately and maybe suggested that she pray about her conflicts with these Catholic teachings and study more on it to come to a place of acceptance if not full understanding before entering the church. Nevertheless, my issue is this. I am “friends” with her on Facebook and last night while the posts related to the election were flying…I see a post from her that follows…

“Ok that is it… I really need to find the Facebook setting that stops me from having to see posts of friends of friends. First it’s Romney’s, now it is pro life jargon… I feel like everytime I get on Facebook I am entering into republican/conservative land… I’m out until after the election. GO OBAMA!!! Oh and one last thing… **A woman has the right to choose…, ***signing off until later.”

Now, I found this a bit offensive on a couple of levels as a conservative Republican, but more over as someone who is trying his best to follow the teachings of the church and who believes them deeply. I pray every day that God bring me to his Son in the Eucharist while I await an annulment and meanwhile watch as she receives communion every Sunday at Mass. Furthermore I find the statement to be scandalous especially to those who know her and know that she just recently entered the church.

My question is this…do I do anything or do I just let it go and pray for her that she will somehow be enlightened as to Christ’s teachings on these matters? I thought of going to my parish priest, but don’t know if it is my place to “call her out” so to speak. Or if I should go to her directly, which I suspect would not be well received.

Any thoughts on this would be very much appreciated.

God Bless,

Dave-*

 

[april32010]

i had to get over thinking myself as a conservative Republican and start thinking with the Church ,before i worried about anyone else was thinking:shrug:

 

[on_the_hill]

but I do feel that the class leadership (who by the way were terrific overall) should have taken her aside privately and maybe suggested that she pray about her conflicts with these Catholic teachings and study more on it to come to a place of acceptance if not full understanding before entering the church. -**

Maybe they did.

First, in my opinion, it’s not your place to go to the priest and call her out. Discussing this with a priest is very close to gossiping, complaining, tattling…

Second, there are different ways of going to her directly. If I were in your shoes, and I felt guided to bring it up with her, I’d do it with the intention of keeping her in the faith. If she’s having a hard time with her beliefs, then she’s probably looking for an excuse to bail. Better to bring her in than shoo her away.

But if it were me, I’d drop it and move on. But I’m lazy like that.

 

[DKIN]

i had to get over thinking myself as a conservative Republican and start thinking with the Church ,before i worried about anyone else was thinking:shrug:

I’m sorry, but I don’t really understand the point you are trying to make. I believe I am thinking with the Church as it opposes abortion. I feel I’m free to my political views as well so long as they align with the Church’s teachings. Do you mind clarifying your thought?

 

[Leon_Bloy]

I don’t think it’s at all wrong to go and privately tell the priest your concerns about the woman, noting that you are trying to do the right thing, and in charity. He is the spiritual father to you, and her, and everybody in the parish, including those who have sought out the RCIA process.

 

[onceablasphemer]

A lot of people who support abortion have no idea what it looks like. There is a reason that abortion is not allowed to be filmed. If people saw that abortion literally rips the child limb from limb from the mother’s womb there would be no support. I think you should talk to her. Did your instructors discuss the spiritual works of mercy? One of them is to instruct the ignorant, which it sounds like she is. I know the pictures are graphic but perhaps you should send her some links to websites that show what abortion truly is. abortiontruth.com/pictures.html If she does not receive it well that is her problem. Tell her the truth, because she is only harming herself.

 

[DKIN]

I don’t think it’s at all wrong to go and privately tell the priest your concerns about the woman, noting that you are trying to do the right thing, and in charity. He is the spiritual father to you, and her, and everybody in the parish, including those who have sought out the RCIA process.

Thank you Leon for your advice. It would be in charity as I certainly have no intention of tattling on her as one poster inferred. But I am very concerned about her position as it relates to Catholic teaching. Maybe it really is none of mu business, but I would hate for others to see her post and take from it that Catholics are okay with abortion as we certainly are not! My thought was to go to my priest for council not even necessarily giving her name, but just asking for council as to what my obligation is as a a Catholic (or soon to be) if there is any.

 

[DKIN]

A lot of people who support abortion have no idea what it looks like. There is a reason that abortion is not allowed to be filmed. If people saw that abortion literally rips the child limb from limb from the mother’s womb there would be no support. I think you should talk to her. Did your instructors discuss the spiritual works of mercy? One of them is to instruct the ignorant, which it sounds like she is. I know the pictures are graphic but perhaps you should send her some links to websites that show what abortion truly is. abortiontruth.com/pictures.html If she does not receive it well that is her problem. Tell her the truth, because she is only harming herself.

I’m pretty confident that she is familiar with the process. She works is a social worker in an Emergency Room which gives her a certain perspective I’m sure as she sees many horrible things and situations that people put themselvese in. That said, I don’t believe any situation trumps respect and dignity of life. I am not close with her except to the degree that you get to know folks through the RCIA process which does bring you together in a certain way and actually makes her comments sting a little more. I don’t think approaching her directly would be well received…doesn’t mean I shouldn’t, I’m just sayhing I don’t think I would be effective in changing her mind in light of the fact that the RCIA process and teachings of the Church she claims as her faith did not.

 

[virginknitter]

Get a copy of “The Case for Life” and acquaint yourself with the arguments. One reason so many people are pro-choice is that they have never met a Catholic who can articulate the teaching of the Church in a rational manner. As baptized Catholics we have a duty to defend the truth–always in a charitable way. There is a reason why this incident disturbed you. Perhaps God is calling you for a special mission to defend the unborn. Get a copy of the book and see where the Holy Spirit leads you. We cannot defend the truth if we are not articulate. I do not think it is “gossip” to let your pastor know how you feel, especially after this woman posted her beliefs publicly on Facebook. She is the one who has become a source of scandal. You are doing the Pastor a favor by letting him know. This is not the same as merely repeating a conversation. She is spreading error to others. Someone should at least tell her gently, “This is not what Catholics believe.” Do not let the political divisions in the country disturb your peace and distract you from Jesus in the Eucharist. Go to Jesus every day and just pour out your heart to him. He is your best friend and he will see you through anything that is thrown at you. We do not know what is in this woman’s heart so let’s not speculate on why she said what she said. I will be praying for you…

 

[PJM]

=DKIN;9989188]I hope I am posting this in the correct forum. If not, please feel free to move to more appropriate place.

I’m not sure what I should do if anything and could use some advice. I am a former Southern Baptist who completed RCIA class earlier this year and am currently awaiting an annulment before I can fully enter the church with my wife. Our daughter was baptized Catholic during Easter Vigil.

One of my fellow RCIA classmates made it known during our class that she struggled with the Catholic position on gay marriage and abortion. None of my business, but I do feel that the class leadership (who by the way were terrific overall) should have taken her aside privately and maybe suggested that she pray about her conflicts with these Catholic teachings and study more on it to come to a place of acceptance if not full understanding before entering the church. Nevertheless, my issue is this. I am “friends” with her on Facebook and last night while the posts related to the election were flying…I see a post from her that follows…

“Ok that is it… I really need to find the Facebook setting that stops me from having to see posts of friends of friends. First it’s Romney’s, now it is pro life jargon… I feel like everytime I get on Facebook I am entering into republican/conservative land… I’m out until after the election. GO OBAMA!!! Oh and one last thing… **A woman has the right to choose…, ****signing off until later.”

Now, I found this a bit offensive on a couple of levels as a conservative Republican, but more over as someone who is trying his best to follow the teachings of the church and who believes them deeply. I pray every day that God bring me to his Son in the Eucharist while I await an annulment and meanwhile watch as she receives communion every Sunday at Mass. Furthermore I find the statement to be scandalous especially to those who know her and know that she just recently entered the church.

My question is this…do I do anything or do I just let it go and pray for her that she will somehow be enlightened as to Christ’s teachings on these matters? I thought of going to my parish priest, but don’t know if it is my place to “call her out” so to speak. Or if I should go to her directly, which I suspect would not be well received.

Any thoughts on this would be very much appreciated.

DAVE NO ONE; NOBODY CAN ACTUALLY BE A “CATHOLIC OR EVEN A CHRISTIAN”
AND SUPPORT ABORTION OR ANYONE WHO SUPPORTS APORTION.

WHY?

GOD’S FIFTH COMMANDMENT IS “THOU SHALL NOT KILL” AND ABORTION IS MURDER OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS. NOT EVEN THE POPE CAN CHANGE THIS FROM BEING FACT.

Dave, TAKE this in confidence to your PASTOR!

God Bless,
pat/PJM

God Bless,

Dave-

 

[robwar]

I’m sorry, but I don’t really understand the point you are trying to make. I believe I am thinking with the Church as it opposes abortion. I feel I’m free to my political views as well so long as they align with the Church’s teachings. Do you mind clarifying your thought?

nothing wrong with your views at all. I would probably de friend her on facebook. If you find her posts there upsetting and don’t want to read them. You are not obligated to keep her as a friend on facebook.

 

[Tingo]

What is the outcome you hope to achieve? Conversion? Keeping a liberal out of the Church? Punishing her for her views? You need to sort that out first. Also, ‘right to choose’ is not far from Catholic teaching. While the Church upholds the need for laws to protect life, this is not the same issue asthenosphere choices made by women whether or not there are laws against abortion. You have a view on what women should choose, or be supported to choose. Maybe your friend does also. Try asking.

 

[DKIN]

What is the outcome you hope to achieve? Conversion? Keeping a liberal out of the Church? Punishing her for her views? You need to sort that out first. Also, ‘right to choose’ is not far from Catholic teaching. While the Church upholds the need for laws to protect life, this is not the same issue asthenosphere choices made by women whether or not there are laws against abortion. You have a view on what women should choose, or be supported to choose. Maybe your friend does also. Try asking.

Tingo…I don’t think I need to sort out my motives. I’m not looking to keep liberals out of the Church or punish anyone, not sure where you got that That said, her pro-choice views are clearly not in keeping with what the Church teaches. I’m curious as to your faith affiliation as it doesn’t say on your profile and seems that you are not clear on what the church teaches as it is very clear on its stance against abortion so I would suggest the right to choose platform is VERY far from Catholic teaching. I couldn’t follow your next couple of thoughts very well so I’m afraid they were lost on me. And you are correct…my view is that women should choose life for the reasons I’ve already mentioned. As far as her views…I don’t believe I need to ask as she made them known publicly via Facebook.

 

[Elisabethelisa]

nothing wrong with your views at all. I would probably de friend her on facebook. If you find her posts there upsetting and don’t want to read them. You are not obligated to keep her as a friend on facebook.

+1
And I’ve always hated the : " a woman has the right to choose" how many have chosen abortion without the father to know? I would die if I were a man. I’m not even talking about the baby

I would:

• Tell her face to face what I have to say
• Unfriend (?) her on facebook
• Pray for her
  I just don’t have time to lose with silly people. That’s actually why I don’t have a facebook anymore. You lose too much time being upset on subject you disagree with. Its much better to pray for her and all of them actually.

 

[1_with_God]

If we were to tell on, or tell liberal minded “Catholics” they should not receive communion, oh how short the line could be. Those without sin cast the first stone, if you say you have no sin then you are a liar. Pray for this lady, she knows how you feel, take care of you the best you can, leave the rest to God.

 

[DKIN]

If we were to tell on, or tell liberal minded “Catholics” they should not receive communion, oh how short the line could be. Those without sin cast the first stone, if you say you have no sin then you are a liar. Pray for this lady, she knows how you feel, take care of you the best you can, leave the rest to God.

I am praying for her and I have not made any suggestion that she should not receive communion and have made it quite clear my intent is not to tattle. Additionally, I have not claimed to be without sin…quite the contrary I’m a wreck and in need of salvation! My worry is that what she has done in proclaiming her support for the pro-choice movement could be scandalizing to those who read her post. I think I’ve been as clear as possible on my concerns and intentions. It seems that some are not reading my post and are instead reading into it and making assumptions as to what is in my heart.

 

[CPC]

+1
And I’ve always hated the : " a woman has the right to choose" how many have chosen abortion without the father to know? I would die if I were a man. I’m not even talking about the baby

Most Pro Life workers relate that a lot of women are pushed by the father.

 

[Elisabethelisa]

Most Pro Life workers relate that a lot of women are pushed by the father.

Yet some women have abortion without telling anyone even the father.

 

[Stylites]

Any thoughts on this would be very much appreciated.

Dave, at least you know who not to ask to be a sponsor should the need arise. Seriously, only you know how close of a friend she is and whether saying anything about it would be advisable or not.

 

[OraLabora]

Keep in mind that full revelation and illumination does not occur suddenly for everyone, nor at the same rate for everyone. Just last night I was reading the commented Rule of St. Benedict that I read every day, on how this is true in a monastery and how it is the duty of each brother to patiently support those who are not yet at the same point on their faith journey that we’d like them to be.

I would suggest that this person’s view is not yet fully formed; she is in a sense a “novice” to the faith. I would be more inclined to support her with charity and discretion; in being her friend I would make it my duty to gently steer her towards things that will deepen her faith: bible study, adoration, etc., and let the Holy Spirit go to work. If she’s serious about studying her faith, she’ll come around eventually, and if she’s in RCIA she must have more than just a passing interest in Catholicism. Trying to force-feed her risks a great big backfire.

When someone in a group (not always believers) gets going on abortion and a “woman’s right to choose”, I typically say “you know, I was adopted as an infant (which is true). As such I tend to be quite biased on this issue, so I think I’ll just keep my mouth shut on this topic”. Oh boy does that stop them dead in their tracks. But I digress.

The important thing I think is to pray that she sustains and grows in her faith, and do things with her that help her sustain and grow in her faith, without getting in her face over this issue. If I look at what I believed when I first came back to the Church 15 years ago and what I believe now, there’s been quite an evolution.