Thanks, I look forward to reading it.
You may not, kind of long, but here is what I put together:
A good point. Thank you, for that perspective.
However, what of my first post? Bishops/Priests openly opposing church teaching, then performing (and taking) the mass without reprimand? Again, as an outsider it’s confusing, and I have seen the splintering of my two previous traditions (Presbyterian and Anglican) because of a lack of backbone.
One of the greatest difficulties we have today with this splintered Christianity is let’s say a ‘people left behind problem’.
So when a small number of people decide they want to split and start a new (or confuse with seemingly variant teaching), we might chalk that up as another denomination (one more) or Church teaching (potential confusion).
How many lives do splits or confusion touch up? It is probably fair to say many more than the decision makers or leadership. Over time and multiple splits (teaching variants) hearts get hard, people get sad / frustrated due to the experience.
Does this happen in the CC? Sure. The people can absolutely experience similar effects of variance in teaching. (see ex-Catholics / reverts)
Though I never left the Church, I left a sacrament behind for a while because of a clergy member teaching an incorrect view of sin: (which by default would have rendered any Eucharist’s I received when not in the state of grace as even greater sin, Lord have mercy)
20+ years ago, I went to confession, confessed a sin, was told as it was habitual, it was not a sin.
I knew this is wrong at the time as sin is sin, and sins of this particular nature are always grave, there is no scope, like in stealing where a penny is not $1million. I felt very awkward and uneasy when leaving the confessional (this is not a typical feeling when cleaning your soul).
(side story) I watched that confessional like a hawk, all the way through Mass. I wanted to put a face on the priest who told me this lie. No priest ever came out.
After that confession, I didn’t go to confession for years. (What was the point if I was going to be told to keep on sinning?)
Now every once in a while when I am in confession I confirm with the priest the truth on this type of sin, that it is always grave and there is no scope with it. Multiple priests have acknowledged that priest gave very bad and incorrect advice.
So here is the key – If you, an outsider, are noticing clergy opposing Church teaching publicly, that means your reason glasses are clean and clear (probably more clean than many Catholics), because what is most common from ‘an outsider’ perspective? Perhaps more along the lines of ‘This priest said xxxxxx, thus that’s what the church teaches!’.
If it smells funny, it might be funny. But like with the Mo Rocca situation, it’s good to step back and see –
Is this decision wrong (vs Church teaching), if so – point for me! I’m not letting him confuse me, moving on!
Maybe it’s just odd and/or scandalous, but not wrong or contra. (debate on scandalous = wrong set aside for now)
Or - am I not seeing something. I think I’ll go post the full context of what I see at
Catholic.com and see what folks say, maybe give a phone call to the local Church and drop the question on them as well.
But most definitely will double down on reading the Bible, the Catechism and fill in with lives of the Saints, to keep my mind clear and happy.
The nice thing is that even with confusion entering the arena, there is but one easy way to reset one’s foundation. Go to the creed, read it slowly and confirm your heart is aligned.
Take care,
Mike
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