Rejoining the Church

[cwltexas]

Sweet… Thanks for pointing out the errors in that sin list. One of the things my wife and I are drawn to about the Church is the accountability. Having been on the other side of the fence in terms of religious experiences, you’d be surprised just how easy it is in many denominations for a rogue pastor or laymen to take the train totally off track by way of their own interpretation or inspiration.

So this brings up another question: how does one know if a particular rendering of doctrine or teaching is or is not approved by the Church? I love the checks and balances and I’d like to know some strategies on how to weigh and test individual interpretations.In many protestant churches the check is put back on yourself to “look to scripture” which works some times when it’s clear BUT as you can see this doesn’t escape the original issue of individual interpretation going off in left field somewhere. You would be surprised how many times we’ve (my wife and I) have gotten the “because God told me to do it” or “that’s what the bible says” (e.g. how i interpret what it says even though I’m not a bible scholar or anything close to it!!!) response from people as a defense of their views or actions.

Again thanks!

I used the list I gave you the link for this immediate past Tuesday, in my first Confession after 32 years, I showed my Confessor the list, he said it was very Conservative and allowed me to use it.

Note that not all Priests, Bishops, Lay are going to agree on everything, on how core principles should be interpreted when EXPLICIT, PRECISE, DETAILED directions are not given by high Church authority. I am finding out that not all Catholics agree on everything by a long shot.

 

[paulbright]

Note that not all Priests, Bishops, Lay are going to agree on everything, on how core principles should be interpreted when EXPLICIT, PRECISE, DETAILED directions are not given by high Church authority. I am finding out that not all Catholics agree on everything by a long shot.

Yeah good point… Out of 1.2 billion members there is bound to be a lot of disagreement! Either way I still appreciate the list you posted and sharing your story. My question was more in a general sense, not specifically directed at what you posted

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Sweet… Thanks for pointing out the errors in that sin list. One of the things my wife and I are drawn to about the Church is the accountability. Having been on the other side of the fence in terms of religious experiences, you’d be surprised just how easy it is in many denominations for a rogue pastor or laymen to take the train totally off track by way of their own interpretation or inspiration.

So this brings up another question: how does one know if a particular rendering of doctrine or teaching is or is not approved by the Church? I love the checks and balances and I’d like to know some strategies on how to weigh and test individual interpretations.In many protestant churches the check is put back on yourself to “look to scripture” which works some times when it’s clear BUT as you can see this doesn’t escape the original issue of individual interpretation going off in left field somewhere. You would be surprised how many times we’ve (my wife and I) have gotten the “because God told me to do it” or “that’s what the bible says” (e.g. how i interpret what it says even though I’m not a bible scholar or anything close to it!!!) response from people as a defense of their views or actions.

Again thanks!

That would be the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Catechism On Line

It’s like our operations manual.

If you like a print version,

Catechism on Amazon

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I used the list I gave you the link for this immediate past Tuesday, in my first Confession after 32 years, I showed my Confessor the list, he said it was very Conservative and allowed me to use it.

Note that not all Priests, Bishops, Lay are going to agree on everything, on how core principles should be interpreted when EXPLICIT, PRECISE, DETAILED directions are not given by high Church authority. I am finding out that not all Catholics agree on everything by a long shot.

If they aren’t following the Catechism, then they are into their own world and not the Church’s.

 

[cwltexas]

If they aren’t following the Catechism, then they are into their own world and not the Church’s.

I am absolutely POSITIVE that it is not proper to get into any kind of contest of “my Priest is better than your Priest.” I do not consider myself in any kind of position to make any judgments whatsoever on an active Priest that is currently working in a Parish or retired in Good Standing. Peace be to you.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I used the list I gave you the link for this immediate past Tuesday, in my first Confession after 32 years, I showed my Confessor the list, he said it was very Conservative and allowed me to use it.

Note that not all Priests, Bishops, Lay are going to agree on everything, on how core principles should be interpreted when EXPLICIT, PRECISE, DETAILED directions are not given by high Church authority. I am finding out that not all Catholics agree on everything by a long shot.

I am absolutely POSITIVE that it is not proper to get into any kind of contest of “my Priest is better than your Priest.” I do not consider myself in any kind of position to make any judgments whatsoever on an active Priest that is currently working in a Parish or retired in Good Standing. Peace be to you.

Not saying there is any contest between priests. You never mentioned the Catechism which can be thought of as our “Operations Manual.” Any time there is a question, that’s where we should go first. If you meant something that ISN’T covered by specific Church teaching, I misunderstood. A lot of life IS covered in the CCC though.

I wouldn’t expect a recent revert to think about the Catechism - I know I sure didn’t!

 

[paulbright]

I am absolutely POSITIVE that it is not proper to get into any kind of contest of “my Priest is better than your Priest.” I do not consider myself in any kind of position to make any judgments whatsoever on an active Priest that is currently working in a Parish or retired in Good Standing. Peace be to you.

Agreed. Your priest told you what you had was conservative but didn’t disallow you from using it. It sounds to me like you went above and beyond to make sure that you had accounted for all your sins in your first confession. I think all that Julie and the others are saying is that in response to my question the Catholic Catechism is the place to look for checks and balances in regards to teaching and doctrine. Again thanks for sharing, I hope to be doing what you just did very soon.

 

[cwltexas]

Not saying there is any contest between priests. You never mentioned the Catechism which can be thought of as our “Operations Manual.” Any time there is a question, that’s where we should go first. If you meant something that ISN’T covered by specific Church teaching, I misunderstood. A lot of life IS covered in the CCC though.

I wouldn’t expect a recent revert to think about the Catechism - I know I sure didn’t!

You are correct, I did not mention it or the fact that that this same Priest that I made my Confession to, I met with last Friday and he did recommend that I get “Compendium Of The Catechism Of The Catholic Church” and add it to the “Life In Christ” Catechism that I had ordered and was waiting to arrive in the mail. I have both at this time.

Thank you for reminding me of the Catechism, I looked at it earlier today and will read more tonight before I go to sleep.

 

[cwltexas]

Agreed. Your priest told you what you had was conservative but didn’t disallow you from using it. It sounds to me like you went above and beyond to make sure that you had accounted for all your sins in your first confession. I think all that Julie and the others are saying is that in response to my question the Catholic Catechism is the place to look for checks and balances in regards to teaching and doctrine. Again thanks for sharing, I hope to be doing what you just did very soon.

I am positive that you will do just fine and will feel a tremendous relief afterwards, just like I did. I will be praying for you.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

You are correct, I did not mention it or the fact that that this same Priest that I made my Confession to, I met with last Friday and he did recommend that I get “Compendium Of The Catechism Of The Catholic Church” and add it to the “Life In Christ” Catechism that I had ordered and was waiting to arrive in the mail. I have both at this time.

Thank you for reminding me of the Catechism, I looked at it earlier today and will read more tonight before I go to sleep.

You’re quite welcome! Happy to have helped in any small way! It’s not easy reading but it’s eye opening for us cradle Catholics too!