Priest said something that bothers me

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Skylar24

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Hi. I haven’t posted too much, but I check the forum often and you have all been a true help to me. Thank you so much.

I am attending the RCIA since I never was confirmed as a teenager. Our priest talked to us tonight and at the end he answered questions. One of the men asked him why non-Catholics can’t receive Communion. The priest went into a detailed explanation and it was very informative. But at the end he said, “It really makes sense not to allow non-Catholics to receive communion, but if I could be Pope for a day there are some things I would change.”

I’m not usually over-sensitive to things, but when our priest said this it really upset me. I could feel my heart sink and I wanted to cry. Is that crazy? It felt like he didn’t have faith in the Catholic teachings. I don’t know… am I blowing this way out of proportion?
 
No, you aren’t. I would have the same reaction if I had heard this…and I’m generally really laid back!

However, it might help to get more details on the topic. I’d ask him about that and what he meant. It just seems so…odd.
 
That was a strange thing to say. The way I see he did first defend the matter of Communion,but then giving a hint that he maybe would change it. A priest is supposed to be even more loyal to the Church then others,and in the light of that I can only see one reason,he is against that and would like to change things. Maybe you should talk with him. It could have been a joke,but ask him. I am sure there is a good explanation to his words. God bless.
 
Skylar24 said:
Hi. I haven’t posted too much, but I check the forum often and you have all been a true help to me. Thank you so much.

I am attending the RCIA since I never was confirmed as a teenager. Our priest talked to us tonight and at the end he answered questions. One of the men asked him why non-Catholics can’t receive Communion. The priest went into a detailed explanation and it was very informative. But at the end he said, “It really makes sense not to allow non-Catholics to receive communion, but if I could be Pope for a day there are some things I would change.”

I’m not usually over-sensitive to things, but when our priest said this it really upset me. I could feel my heart sink and I wanted to cry. Is that crazy? It felt like he didn’t have faith in the Catholic teachings. I don’t know… am I blowing this way out of proportion?
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Yes, like Whitacre_Girl and Sum Fidelis I would talk to him and Pray for this Priest.

Prayer for Priests and Religious

O Jesus, our great High Priest, hear my humble prayers on behalf of Thy servants. Give them a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of their life. In their loneliness, comfort them. In their sorrows, strengthen them. In their frustrations, point out to them that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and show them that they are needed by the Church; they are needed by souls; they are needed for the work of redemption.

O Loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests and religious, take to your heart your children who are close to you because of the power which they have received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs them so much. Be their comfort, be their joy, be their strength, and especially help them to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy. Amen.
 
Skylar24 said:
Hi. I haven’t posted too much, but I check the forum often and you have all been a true help to me. Thank you so much.

I am attending the RCIA since I never was confirmed as a teenager. Our priest talked to us tonight and at the end he answered questions. One of the men asked him why non-Catholics can’t receive Communion. The priest went into a detailed explanation and it was very informative. But at the end he said, “It really makes sense not to allow non-Catholics to receive communion, but if I could be Pope for a day there are some things I would change.”

I’m not usually over-sensitive to things, but when our priest said this it really upset me. I could feel my heart sink and I wanted to cry. Is that crazy? It felt like he didn’t have faith in the Catholic teachings. I don’t know… am I blowing this way out of proportion?
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Direct your sorrow into praying for our priests. Indeed, many are like him. Christ did not promise a Church led by sinless leaders. 🙂 Believe in the Holy Spirit.
 
Thankfully, we know that the Most Holy Spirit of God guides each pope in his office, upon taking it. Even if this somewhat puzzling priest became the holy father of all nations, the more-holy Spirit would lead him in the right direction. 😉 We are really nothing before the face and power of God; He respects free will (He made it, after all), but will not allow His faith to be changed by anyone. The best remedy, as has been said, is prayer!

Why not consecrate him to the Sacred Heart of our Lord, which bled for him?

For another person, with alterations to the first-person:

"O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up X and his life, actions, trials, and sufferings, that his entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will: that X belong entirely to Thee, that he do all for Thy love, renouncing with his whole heart all that can displease Thee.

I implore Thee, O Sacred Heart, to give X the grace to take Thee for the sole object of his love, the protection of his life, the pledge of his salvation, the remedy of any of his frailties and inconstancy, the reparation for any of the defects of his life, and his secure refuge at the hour of his death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, his justification before God Thy Father, and screen X from His anger which we have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in X all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in his heart that he may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.

I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that X’s name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I know that in Thee all our happiness and all our glory rests: to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.

Amen."

Does it work? 😉
 
Skylar24 said:
But at the end he said, “It really makes sense not to allow non-Catholics to receive communion, but if I could be Pope for a day there are some things I would change.”

I’m not usually over-sensitive to things, but when our priest said this it really upset me.
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WE are not supposed to believe that the popes are puppets of the Holy Spirit, and they always make the good decisions. We only believe that God stands by their decisions. We, human beings, are all imperfect and make many bad decisions. God has to deal with that, and He is powerful enough to deal with that.

Your priest was mistaken only, that in one day it is impossible to change things, even if one is pope. He was right, that our world in not perfect, and things can be done better
 
I would interpret your priest’s remarks as being preceded by ‘I know this will never happen, because I won’t ever be made Pope, the Papal election just doesn’t work this way, and so I realise this will never happen, but…’

In other words, don’t take him too seriously, and don’t fall into the trap of thinking that Catholics have to believe that everything said or done by the Pope/Church is always the best.

We are allowed to have opinions, you know. I’m sure that your priest’s inward attitude is one of loyalty to the Church’s teachings, even though he doesn’t agree with everything.

If you have time to study Church history, you will find that parts of it are very murky, and Popes and people had to be brought back into line very frequently, including changing things that were once thought inviolable. Older people will remember the gallons of printing ink spent on justifying an all-Latin Mass, or communion under one kind, or in my diocese, changing the age of Confirmation from 8 to teenage to now, back to 8 again. Take the long view, and give your priest the benefit of the doubt. History will give you more perspective.
 
It was probably just a throw away comment and he probably didnt mean anything too drastic by it. I agree with the above posts, next time you see the priest ask him what he meant by that comment and Im sure he’ll be happy to explain. Thats what RCIA is all about. And no, you’re not being over sensitive 😉 When someone, especially a priest, says somethings ambiguous its natural to ponder it over.
 
We should always pray for our priests. We are at war. The enemy (Satan and his minions) are outstanding tacticians at this type of war. They know full well that if they can get the officers, a lot of the enlisted folks will end up leaderless and helpless.

One of the best weapons in this war is humility, against which Satan and the devils are helpless. But, one of the occupational hazards of the priesthood is pride, against which those who have been ordained must provide a strong defense. Many fall to this problem. That’s why they need our prayers!
 
Skylar24 said:
Hi. I haven’t posted too much, but I check the forum often and you have all been a true help to me. Thank you so much.

I am attending the RCIA since I never was confirmed as a teenager. Our priest talked to us tonight and at the end he answered questions. One of the men asked him why non-Catholics can’t receive Communion. The priest went into a detailed explanation and it was very informative. But at the end he said, “It really makes sense not to allow non-Catholics to receive communion, but if I could be Pope for a day there are some things I would change.”

I’m not usually over-sensitive to things, but when our priest said this it really upset me. I could feel my heart sink and I wanted to cry. Is that crazy? It felt like he didn’t have faith in the Catholic teachings. I don’t know… am I blowing this way out of proportion?
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Without trying to minimize this, I do think that you are probably “overreacting” a bit.
His comment is no different than my saying it, or soemone saying, “If I was president”…
Someone said that it sounded like a “thow-away” comment and I tend to agree.

The fact is that, if he were pope or if I were president, or if you were in charge of the church or country…you would already have discovered that you can’t just simply “change things”…

What I would focus on is that your priest gave you a good, orthodox explanation of the matter in accordance with the teachings of the church, even though he might struggle with the reasoning behind the teaching. In this you are blessed with a priest who is loyal to the magisterium and submits his will to the Will of Christ in The Church.
I’d say you are blessed.

Peace
James
 
Skylar24 said:
Hi. I haven’t posted too much, but I check the forum often and you have all been a true help to me. Thank you so much.

I am attending the RCIA since I never was confirmed as a teenager. Our priest talked to us tonight and at the end he answered questions. One of the men asked him why non-Catholics can’t receive Communion. The priest went into a detailed explanation and it was very informative. But at the end he said, “It really makes sense not to allow non-Catholics to receive communion, but if I could be Pope for a day there are some things I would change.”

I’m not usually over-sensitive to things, but when our priest said this it really upset me. I could feel my heart sink and I wanted to cry. Is that crazy? It felt like he didn’t have faith in the Catholic teachings. I don’t know… am I blowing this way out of proportion?
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I had the exact same reaction when a priest (filling in for our parish priest) told me I could used the Pill for birth control. 🤷 I just wanted to cry:( I felt so sorry for him and what he was preaching. At any rate, my actual priest would never have said that…he is quite traditional.
 
Skylar24 said:
Hi. I haven’t posted too much, but I check the forum often and you have all been a true help to me. Thank you so much.

I am attending the RCIA since I never was confirmed as a teenager. Our priest talked to us tonight and at the end he answered questions. One of the men asked him why non-Catholics can’t receive Communion. The priest went into a detailed explanation and it was very informative. But at the end he said, “It really makes sense not to allow non-Catholics to receive communion, but if I could be Pope for a day there are some things I would change.”

I’m not usually over-sensitive to things, but when our priest said this it really upset me. I could feel my heart sink and I wanted to cry. Is that crazy? It felt like he didn’t have faith in the Catholic teachings. I don’t know… am I blowing this way out of proportion?
Click to expand...
Many priests feel that their primary role is of a pastoral nature. Thus, they want to include others in the celebrations of liturgy and Sacrament. On balance, we need pastoral men to shepherd souls to heaven. This is good and holy. But…

In addition to distributing Communion to non-Catholics, many priests also favor the idea that as pope they would provide for women priests and gay marriage. This is a theology of inclusion.

The problem as I see it in your case is; where is the theology of the Eucharist? How is the priest exhibiting reverence and care for the most holy bread that is in his care? What message does he give the faithful when he carelessly speaks about misusing communion in a way that is incompatible with Church teaching?

Being a priest is no different than any other walk in life in that priests grow in holiness and wisdom. They aren’t born with it. That is why, as so many posters have noted, he needs our prayers and our patience. I believe that he is struggling to be a good and holy man in the service of Christ. He just hasn’t got it all figured out yet.

One last thought…Remember he is speaking to a group of people, many of whom may have been protestants who may get annoyed that Communion is not available to them. They may see this as an act of arrogance on the Church’s part. The priest may want to be seen as humble of heart and compassionate. What I don’t get is that he went to all the trouble to explain, only to trivialize the rationale…
 
It seems to me as if he agrees with the pope on some things, but not on others.

I think, in humility, it is OK to let people know that you have opinions that may or may not be 100% in line with the vatican. Would I change some stuff if I were pope? SURE I would. Mostly correct the exclusivity of traditionalists, the errs of charasmatics and the blahs of the general church. I would make sure that certian religious sites were investigated since they’re popular, and I’d not ban books or villify popular fiction.

Your priest is a person. He dosn’t HAVE to agree with everything the Pope sais or does, so long as he lives in obedience. To me this highlighted a WONDERFUL part of his character. He is obedeint despite any personal reservations. WOW. that is AMAZING and rather unique this day in age.
 
But at the end he said, “It really makes sense not to allow non-Catholics to receive communion, but if I could be Pope for a day there are some things I would change.”
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The next time he’s in class, bring his comment up to his attention and then ask him to be specific about his comments concerning what he would want changed.

His answer - may be something you don’t want to hear or it could be something very benign.
 
Barbkw said:
The next time he’s in class, bring his comment up to his attention and then ask him to be specific about his comments concerning what he would want changed.

His answer - may be something you don’t want to hear or it could be something very benign.
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I disagree with this. RCIA is not a place to bring up what the opinions are of the priest. This would be better addressed in a more personal, informal situation.
RCIA is a place to learn about the teachings of the Church and personal opinion has no place.
The priest should not have made the comment in the first place, but having done so should not be seen as an invitation to derail the class into such theological discussion.

Peace
James
 
The priest made the comment to the RCIA class and he needs to clarify them before the class.
 
I have to agree with James. I don’t think it would be appropriate for an RCIA candidate to question the priest this way. At the same time, I would ask the priest privately what he meant by his comments.

As I mentioned before, I believe that the priest is trying to be pastoral to the candidates. In this way, it might be a good idea to cut him some slack…
 
Barbkw said:
The priest made the comment to the RCIA class and he needs to clarify them before the class.
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Why??

He made one, off hand, comment at the end of an otherwise orthodox presentation.
Why take this one, off hand comment, and turn it into a subject all it’s own?

To do so in a class devoted to catachesis would serve only to promote additional confusion.

Personally I’d say forget it. The man will likely never be Pope so he won’t be changing any church teachings. Any debate with him at this time would purely acedemic.

Peace
James
 
I cannot thank you all enough! I hope that I learn enough to come back here and be as much help to someone else.

It made me feel much better to think of him as a person with opinions. That’s what he is, after all. I will pray for him and try to cut him some slack.
 
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