Question about Ecumenism?

[braeden_mackay]

Hello, if this is not in the right place i apologize, i wasnt sure where to put this one.

Anyways, i have a question regarding Ecumenism. In my catholic highschool religion class we learned about world religions and how they are all similar and different. However, they say all are equal and pleasing to God and that the RCC beleives anyone who beleives in something can be saved. The staff also teach that Purgatory is a place for non-christians to go and be cleansed so they can go to heaven without beleif in Christ. Is this true?

I am pretty sure this isnt right. One teacher even told us that Vatican II made Confession a therapy session rather than a sacrament of forgiveness and that the council also even tried to get rid of the “gross label, Catholic” from the name of Christianity. Are these correct too?

I personally dont beleive that non-catholics can be saved, is this in line with the church’s teaching? My teachers told me this was very wrong and that Protestants and Catholics are all equal and Catholicsm wasnt really the first church. This is so confusing, im one of the only kids in my grade that actually cares about my faith.

Thanks for any help and answers you can give me!

 

[JimR-OCDS]

braeden mackay

In my catholic highschool religion class we learned about world religions and how they are all similar and different. However, they say all are equal and pleasing to God and that the RCC beleives anyone who beleives in something can be saved. The staff also teach that Purgatory is a place for non-christians to go and be cleansed so they can go to heaven without beleif in Christ. Is this true?

You learned this in a Catholic School ?

God loves all people equally, but not all religions have the fullness of revealed truth, as the Catholic Church does.

I am pretty sure this isnt right. One teacher even told us that Vatican II made Confession a therapy session rather than a sacrament of forgiveness and that the council also even tried to get rid of the “gross label, Catholic” from the name of Christianity. Are these correct too?

Vatican II allowed face-to-face Confession as an option for the person, but no, not a therapy session, although spiritual direction is often provided by the priest in the confessional.

I personally dont beleive that non-catholics can be saved, is this in line with the church’s teaching?

No, this isn’t in line with Catholic teaching. The Church teaches that those outside the Church, who do not know Jesus Christ, through no fault of their own, can be saved through Him because of God’s mercy.

My teachers told me this was very wrong and that Protestants and Catholics are all equal and Catholicsm wasnt really the first church. This is so confusing, im one of the only kids in my grade that actually cares about my faith.

This of course is wrong and I hope you’re not learning this in a Catholic School.

Jim

 

[braeden_mackay]

Thank you, i accept that part of church teaching (pertaining to salvation) but what i mean are those belonging to other religions that are aware of Christ.

I learned most of what i said here in RCIA / Catholic High School religion class. We learned the history about the reformation but from the spritual aspect it seen as all christians are the same. And all that is nessceary to be christian is belief that Christ died on the cross for your sins.

 

[4love2God]

braedenmackay wonders about basic Catholic doctrine :** “i have a question regarding Ecumenism. In my Catholic highschool religion class.”**

If you are in High School, and your teachers are teaching you this, you can either believe it or not.

The same goes for a Catholic High School.

If you have a Problem with what your teachers are teaching, call up the Vicar of Priests at your Local Diocese.
Explain your Post to him, or just hand him a copy of it.
He will tell you what things are True, and will contact your High School, if he suspects that incorrect information is being taught.

This is not the place to be dumping on a Catholic High School teacher.
They have enough Problems, without you marching into Class, and using the FORUM as your source that your teacher is WRONG.
Contact your Diocese … or maybe your Parish Priest.
That is why they exist, for issues about Church doctrine and policy.

 

[braeden_mackay]

I wasnt trying to bash my religion teachers. They are good people and i like them. I just wanted to confirm if what they were teaching was correct that is all. Please dont mistake me for using this forum to make people seem wrong, butci just wanted to double check this with fellow catholics. Thank you again.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

braeden mackay

Thank you, i accept that part of church teaching (pertaining to salvation) but what i mean are those belonging to other religions that are aware of Christ.

Knowing that Jesus existed is a far cry from having faith in Jesus. The knowledge that he existed is not what saves us, but Faith in Him, which only brings us to true knowledge about Him through His revelation. So, just telling a person about Jesus, isn’t enough. If He does not have true knowledge through faith, that person can be saved.

There are impediments for many people to receive full knowledge of Jesus Christ, and the Church, which He established.

Jim

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I wasnt trying to bash my religion teachers. They are good people and i like them. I just wanted to confirm if what they were teaching was correct that is all. Please dont mistake me for using this forum to make people seem wrong, butci just wanted to double check this with fellow catholics. Thank you again.

Relax, you’re doing nothing wrong asking the questions here.

Just be warned your going to get an array of opinions and attitudes.

It’s best to talk to a priest about what you’re being taught, but don’t let anyone tell you not to ask your questions in this forum.

Jim

 

[robertkchacon]

I thinks its great you are seeking to confirm what you have learned in your class. No, you should not “dump” on your teacher or confront him or her in front of your class. But I didnt pick up from your post that that was your intention

I am assuming you have spoken about this to your parents. If not, I would think they need to know! If you are Catholic and they sent you to a Catholic school to be in a Catholic ambiance and learn the Catholic faith properly, then if what you said is really what the teacher meant, your parents are being cheated! And this teacher needs to teach Catholicism and not his or her interpretation. And of course the school and its associated governing body, whether thats a local parish/diocese or religious order.

Good for you for asking questions! Keep it up , with all due respect and kindness to those you need to address. God bless!!

 

[Sunbreak]

I think the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other documents can answer some of your concerns.
For example in section 847 it says in part “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.”
The catechism doesn’t really address purgatory for those who don’t believe in Christ. It only says in section 1030: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven”
In Sacrosanctum Concilium (1963), Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Section 72: The rite and formulas for the sacrament of penance are to be revised so that they more clearly express both the nature and effect of the sacrament. Pope Paul VI revised the Rite of Reconciliation into the 3 forms that are practiced now. If you want to read what the US bishops say about the sacrament, you can find something here nccbuscc.org/liturgy/penance.shtml. Yes, there may be some counsel by the priest in confession but there has been no substitution of “therapy” for confession.

 

[Jon_S_1]

Hello, if this is not in the right place i apologize, i wasnt sure where to put this one.

Anyways, i have a question regarding Ecumenism. In my catholic highschool religion class we learned about world religions and how they are all similar and different. However, they say all are equal and pleasing to God and that the RCC beleives anyone who beleives in something can be saved. The staff also teach that Purgatory is a place for non-christians to go and be cleansed so they can go to heaven without beleif in Christ. Is this true?

I am pretty sure this isnt right. One teacher even told us that Vatican II made Confession a therapy session rather than a sacrament of forgiveness and that the council also even tried to get rid of the “gross label, Catholic” from the name of Christianity. Are these correct too?

I personally dont beleive that non-catholics can be saved, is this in line with the church’s teaching? My teachers told me this was very wrong and that Protestants and Catholics are all equal and Catholicsm wasnt really the first church. This is so confusing, im one of the only kids in my grade that actually cares about my faith.

Thanks for any help and answers you can give me!

Lord have Mercy
Christ have Mercy
Lord have mercy.

I seriously think this needs to be taken to your principal, the pastor of your sponsoring parish, and if necessary the Bishop.

 

[Jon_S_1]

Thank you, i accept that part of church teaching (pertaining to salvation) but what i mean are those belonging to other religions that are aware of Christ.

I learned most of what i said here in RCIA / Catholic High School religion class. We learned the history about the reformation but from the spritual aspect it seen as all christians are the same. And all that is nessceary to be christian is belief that Christ died on the cross for your sins.

It sounds like a baptist school!

They would say all that is required is to believe in Jesus. That is not Catholic teaching.

The Catholic Church teaches that.

The ONLY way we know as being revealed by God as to how to be saved is by

1. believing in Christ and being baptized
2. remaining in a state of Grace by utilizing the Sacraments and seeking forgiveness when we sin.

This is accomplished through the Church founded by Christ not any other way.

Again this is what God has revealed to us.

Now…

We also teach that God is capable of working in ways not revealed to us. We can hope for salvation in other ways but it would be a mere hope.

As such we need to evangelize, proclaim Gods truth of the Catholic Faith and bring people into the Church.

Purgatory by the way has nothing to do with Protestants. It’s for people going to heaven to be made holy.

 

[cmodrmac]

actually little in the way of “Ecumenism” was discussed

there is little equality in Roman Catholic ( I think they view the Orthodox as equal - perhaps not) theology in regards to other Denominations

the rest of us are essentially viewed as second class -and that is their right to do so-The Orthodox Jews view themselves as superior to other Jews-the Sunni Muslims view themselves as superior to the Shia- it goes on and on

My Church has gone off the rails and although we retain the sacraments we now happily include everyone and every permutation of sexual behavior -so study your faith at least they have the courage to say NO

 

[Jon_S_1]

actually little in the way of “Ecumenism” was discussed

there is little equality in Roman Catholic ( I think they view the Orthodox as equal - perhaps not) theology in regards to other Denominations

the rest of us are essentially viewed as second class -and that is their right to do so-The Orthodox Jews view themselves as superior to other Jews-the Sunni Muslims view themselves as superior to the Shia- it goes on and on

My Church has gone off the rails and although we retain the sacraments we now happily include everyone and every permutation of sexual behavior -so study your faith at least they have the courage to say NO

I love hearing this perspective. Thank you. It definitely does take courage (and perhaps divine protection) to say no when it’s not popular.

Check out our Anglican rite sometime!

 

[Celtic_Maiden]

I hope you mean the new Anglican rite- which is part of the new Anglican Rite under Rome. Which has now been established in England/America/Australia and maybe New Zealand also.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I hope you mean the new Anglican rite- which is part of the new Anglican Rite under Rome. Which has now been established in England/America/Australia and maybe New Zealand also.

Yes! I was actually thinking it may be Latin Rite but is it called Anglican Ordinarate?

Anyway, yes Catholic Church with Anglican style mass

There is one near me I want to check out soon.

jhnewman.org

 

[Celtic_Maiden]

ordinariate.org.au/