Question for Converts - accepting the teachings of the Church

[InternetWoman]

1. We were told we had to accept all teachings (…I can’t remember the exact words, but basically teachings) that were revealed by God, but not all teachings of the Church exactly. We were also told that if we truly believed something was incorrect, but continued to research the issue and consider the reasoning behind that teaching, that it’s ok if you don’t follow it. We had several discussions on teachings though and I thought the class did a good job of covering different areas.

It is very important that every Catholic have an informed conscience. And by informed the Church means that we know the Church’s stand on a topic, and why the Church takes that stand.

I have difficulty with the concept of “OK if you don’t follow it” while doing research. I would go the other way - follow it (because it is a Church teaching) and continue to research it, so you finally come to understand the why.

 

[peanutproduct]

I am confused. We all understand that through proclamations of dogma, the Church clarifies that which is already believed. That does not make these beliefs any less revealed by God. Can you please provide examples of Church teachings which have not been revealed by God? Thank you.

I believe they meant we had to accept such things as the assumption of Mary but that we weren’t required to be against artificial birth control. However, the conversation was quite a while ago, so I may be confusing some of the points the RCIA team was making

 

[peanutproduct]

It is very important that every Catholic have an informed conscience. And by informed the Church means that we know the Church’s stand on a topic, and why the Church takes that stand.

I have difficulty with the concept of “OK if you don’t follow it” while doing research. I would go the other way - follow it (because it is a Church teaching) and continue to research it, so you finally come to understand the why.

That’s what I would have expected the RCIA team to say as well, but it wasn’t. They did make a point to say that it’s important to continue looking at the issue

 

[heathernoel]

I’d like to hear from converts (recent and long ago) about how their process (RCIA, individual study, whatever) dealt with presenting them with the teachings of the Church (both faith and morals) and how their acceptance (or rejection) was tested (or not). What I’d like to know is:

1. 
   *]Did you have to accept ALL the teachings of the Church? Or did they soft peddle some and let them slide?
   *]How was your acceptance “tested”? I know at the Rite of Initiation candidates make a statement of faith, but did you do something more?
   *]Did any of you admit rejecting some of the teachings but were accepted any way?
   *]If you rejected some of the teachings did that change later on so that you accept them now?
   *]Are there still teachings you reject? (Doubts don’t count).
   
   I want to make it clear that my personal opinion is that everyone should have all aspects of the faith fully and clearly explained and that they should not be received into the Church until they can fully accept these teachings. What I’m after is to see what the actual practice is out there.

1. 
   Yes, the practice is out there!
   
   I was confirmed on Pentecost after 5.5 years of RCIA. I have done a lot of studying, thinking, debating, and praying. I TRULY believe in the Church’s stances…and those I don’t understand, I pray about. Yes, there are people at our church that are ready to be confirmed but because they doubt a doctrine, aren’t going through with it.

 

[InternetWoman]

Does your parish do the rite of sending? Have you noticed how the RCIA team is supposed to publicly affirm how the people are doing on their journey? I find this duty difficult sometimes, since the team doesn’t always have that information or perhaps might suspect they have seen the contrary in an individual, and, as your thread is all about, not all RCIA programs are designed so that a person is tested in any way in the truths of the faith or in its practice (like charity and conversion).

Ooooh! I found it. Here is the stuff that the team has to say THEY HAVE to:Have they taken their formation in the Gospel and in the Catholic way of life seriously?
Have they given evidence of their conversion by the example of their lives?
Do you believe them ready to be presented to the Bishop for the Rite of Election?

That first question is super easy to say THEY HAVE to if the people have been coming to RCIA class.

Pug - sorry so late in answering, missed your questions in the flow!

Yes, we do the Rite of Sending. And yes, it is scary. So difficult to know if folks are just “going along to get along.” In my previous parish we actually did a one-on-one interview with all the candidates and catechumens to make sure of the first item, and had the sponsors there to answer to the second item. I’m thinking of asking my current pastor to institute this so the team can answer the third item!

 

[Pug]

Pug - sorry so late in answering, missed your questions in the flow!

Yes, we do the Rite of Sending. And yes, it is scary. So difficult to know if folks are just “going along to get along.” In my previous parish we actually did a one-on-one interview with all the candidates and catechumens to make sure of the first item, and had the sponsors there to answer to the second item. I’m thinking of asking my current pastor to institute this so the team can answer the third item!

Asking him might be a good idea. He might not even be aware that the questions pose some difficulty to the team.