Recovery and other faiths

[trevorhall]

I am fully Catholic. I submit to the Magisterium in all things. Anyway, I gave a talk tonight to a pentecostal group about recovery from substance abuse. There was a lady there from my parish. Anyway, she told me that, since I am on the RCIA team, I am scandalizing by going to a pentecostal church to give a talk. I think it is bunk. Thoughts?

 

[Robertanthony]

I am fully Catholic. I submit to the Magisterium in all things. Anyway, I gave a talk tonight to a pentecostal group about recovery from substance abuse. There was a lady there from my parish. Anyway, she told me that, since I am on the RCIA team, I am scandalizing by going to a pentecostal church to give a talk. I think it is bunk. Thoughts?

Thank you for being a light in the world. Pentecostals are Christians, we Catholics are Christians, and Jesus said, “I pray that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” I’m not an authority in anyhting, but just how I see this.God bless.

 

[Miserissima]

Were you using the venue to discuss a topic that may touch on a “relativistic” higher power?

Were you discussing the principles of your higher power in your path to recovery?

Were you in a venue that happened to be in a church and the topic was NOT apologetics or evangelization?

You’re fine.

This venue is not for evangelization unless you are specifically asked about your system and path to God. The focus is to stay clean and sober with the program.

God isn’t taking a back seat to sobriety. He is meeting people at their level of understanding at that time and place in their lives.

Give her a copy of this tract from Catholic.com : catholic.com/magazine/articles/what-no-salvation-outside-the-church-means

and give her a pamphlet or print out about the Calix Society (calixsociety.org), the Catholic adjunct group to AA.

 

[EasterBeagle]

I am fully Catholic. I submit to the Magisterium in all things. Anyway, I gave a talk tonight to a pentecostal group about recovery from substance abuse. There was a lady there from my parish. Anyway, she told me that, since I am on the RCIA team, I am scandalizing by going to a pentecostal church to give a talk. I think it is bunk. Thoughts?

She has no idea what she is talking about.

 

[Miserissima]

It’s akin to asking a Muslim chemistry professor why she isn’t talking about Allah during class, although she’s wearing a hijab. She’s practicing her faith but that’s not really the direct topic.

If she talks about the middle eastern civilization contributing to science, she’s still on topic that her background may give insight to.

Similarly, if a priest is teaching biology and we cover Gregor Mendel’s contributions, I’m not going to raise my hand and discuss the Liturgy of the Hours.

 

[Avila123]

She has no idea what she is talking about.

Agree. To use the word “scandalizing” because you are helping others is nonsense. If she was genuinely concerned, she should have talked with the priest privately and if it becomes an issue e.g. she goes on about it or gossips, have a word with the priest. I have found that people that criticize or berate tend to have no authority and back down when they hear the words “I asked Father X and he said”. They are also the ones who seemingly cause the most damage because their focus is on themselves i.e. their personal views rather than on God.

 

[Catholic1954]

I am fully Catholic. I submit to the Magisterium in all things. Anyway, I gave a talk tonight to a pentecostal group about recovery from substance abuse. There was a lady there from my parish. Anyway, she told me that, since I am on the RCIA team, I am scandalizing by going to a pentecostal church to give a talk. I think it is bunk. Thoughts?

It’s bunk. Thank you for helping other with their recovery, no matter where they are.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Agree. To use the word “scandalizing” because you are helping others is nonsense. If she was genuinely concerned, she should have talked with the priest privately and if it becomes an issue e.g. she goes on about it or gossips, have a word with the priest. I have found that people that criticize or berate tend to have no authority and back down when they hear the words “I asked Father X and he said”. They are also the ones who seemingly cause the most damage because their focus is on themselves i.e. their personal views rather than on God.

A few years ago a Lutheran pastor, who was also a guitar teacher, was giving free guitar lessons to anyone who wanted to come. Even though I was Catholic I participated in the classes. They were free, he did teach us some worship hymns, but he also taught such songs as “California Dreaming” ! At the time, I checked with my priest, and he had no problem with me participating in this. The idea was not to convert us to Lutheranism, but to share his love of the guitar.

 

[CalCatholic]

I am fully Catholic. I submit to the Magisterium in all things. Anyway, I gave a talk tonight to a pentecostal group about recovery from substance abuse. There was a lady there from my parish. Anyway, she told me that, since I am on the RCIA team, I am scandalizing by going to a pentecostal church to give a talk. I think it is bunk. Thoughts?

Tell her to go to you tube and watch Pope Francis’ video, where he gave a 7 minute greeting (via an i-phone) to a large gathering of Pentecostal ministers, addressing them “my brothers.”

 

[Missian_Alyssa]

ask her to read Romans 14:10-23

Then ask her to define “scandal”

 

[trevorhall]

ask her to read Romans 14:10-23

Then ask her to define “scandal”

Great point!

 

[trevorhall]

Update: I am going back tonight for outreach. The pastor knows I am Catholic, as does everyone else. 2 men went to treatment last week after my talk. It is not me, but the Holy Spirit.

 

[Avila123]

Update: I am going back tonight for outreach. The pastor knows I am Catholic, as does everyone else. 2 men went to treatment last week after my talk. It is not me, but the Holy Spirit.

Terrific news. Have prayed for the 2 men to be healed.