Should priests talk about NFP/ABC in their homilies a bit more?

[whatevergirl]

Since the threads have started talking about NFP…It got me to thinking, why are ‘so many’ Catholics (not my words people, your words) using NFP in ways that are not just? Why are so many Catholics using ABC? (Many being just a term, we don’t know exact numbers)

Can it be that ‘many’ simply don’t know what the Church teaches? I was one of those Catholics a few years ago. I was born and raised in a Catholic family, and I think if my dad had raised me (my sister was not as devout as him) I think I would have gotten a much different Catholic ‘education.’ That being said, I had to learn much of this on my own, and Theology of the Body, wasn’t a book I had even heard of, until coming to this board. Thank God for this forum, I have to say, because I think my dh and I would still be in the dark about some things.

I personally have never heard a homily in say the past 5 years, and I go to mass every Sunday…talk about: NFP, ABC, or the marital embrace. Five years, and never heard a homily about any of those three main components to a Catholic’s walk with Christ.

It is not surprising that ‘many’ Catholics do not know what to do…when it comes to NFP…they don’t know that vasectomies are wrong***…they just might not know***, because no one is teaching it to them…I think I become sensitive to some of the assertions on here when talking about these subjects, because I try to give people the benefit of the doubt…there are simply put, a lot of ignorant folks out there when it comes to the teachings of the Church, on sexuality.

Now, we have a responsibility to learn things on our own, but should our parish priests being doing more to catechize (sp?) us on Sundays? Should homilies at least touch upon ABC, and how it’s a sin.

Fr Corapi is one of the few priests who tackles some of these tougher subjects…well, we make them tougher.

Evem if a little brochure or something was passed out at the end of mass, getting people to read a little bit about ABC, NFP, etc…or a notice with book suggestions as to where to learn about our faith as it relates to these topics would be helpful to many. I don’t know, just has me wondering.

 

[Em_in_FL]

I agree completely.

I think the lack of continued moral teachings at the pulpit make the subject seem vague and harsh - as if those “men in Rome” are dictating something they know nothing about. …
… Because unless this is DISCUSSED in a loving, understanding, nonjudgmental way then that will be the impression that the masses are left with.

I think people know the “rules”, but they don’t have an UNDERSTANDING of the morality and the teachings of the faith, and then they turn to family and friends, who are also lacking in understanding - and they self-justify their actions. That’s NOT to say that their *MOTIVES *aren’t pure. Yes, some just/serious/grave circumstances arise in life that can justify a moral reason to use NFP! But, unless this is DISCUSSED more at the pulpit then ‘many’ Catholics will continue the self-justified reasoning for using ABC.

Totally agree.

 

[buffalo]

I have never heard it from the pulpit. Yes, they should preach the hard stuff.

There are marvelous resources that they could use or point us to on the web. They could talk about it in a Pastor’s column in the bulletin. There are so many ways if they have the will.

And as parents when we talk about it from our kids but never hear it from the authorities in the Church, how does that help us? It doesn’t, not one bit.

 

[baylee]

Although I want to agree with you that they should, is it possible that they don’t because the topic is sex…and there are young children at mass?

 

[whatevergirl]

I agree completely.

I think the lack of continued moral teachings at the pulpit make the subject seem vague and harsh - as if those “men in Rome” are dictating something they know nothing about. …
… Because unless this is DISCUSSED in a loving, understanding, nonjudgmental way then that will be the impression that the masses are left with.

I think people know the “rules”, but they don’t have an UNDERSTANDING of the morality and the teachings of the faith, and then they turn to family and friends, who are also lacking in understanding - and they self-justify their actions. That’s NOT to say that their *MOTIVES *aren’t pure. Yes, some just/serious/grave circumstances arise in life that can justify a moral reason to use NFP! But, unless this is DISCUSSED more at the pulpit then ‘many’ Catholics will continue the self-justified reasoning for using ABC.

Totally agree.

Oh my gosh, EM, you just said that so perfectly. I agree…if something isn’t ever brought up, it can be assumed, that the topic isn’t really relevant, or important. I’m not talking brought up sparingly, I’m talking I have not heard a homily on marital sexuality…EVER, in 5 years of going to mass. I have heard about abortion (rarely also), and homosexuality …but, not about Church moral teachings on ABC, NFP, fertility, etc…

And while many might know it from childhood Catholic school upbringings, priests discussing these issues as relevant today, like you say…from the pulpit, can have a very positive effect, I think.

I really didn’t hear much about abortion, during the Presidential campaign. We’d be handed a flyer at the end of mass…but, that’s about it. We are attending a new parish now, and it seems that the priests there are not ‘shy’ from talking about sin, hell, etc…but, have been going for a month now to this new parish, and still nada about NFP, ABC, nothing. I am not saying they need to go into details, but they need to bring it up…bring it out there.

Maybe I should send the parish priest an email about this…

If Catholics in general, go to mass every Sunday, and are still using ABC, not following the doctrine relating to the marital embrace, etc etc etc…something is wrong there. There is a disconnect. It could be that these Catholics know the Truth, and don’t want to follow it…could be that they know it, but since it’s never brought up, maybe it is not all ‘that’ important, they are thinking…and perhaps they just don’t know it at all.

I think that this is what Fr Groeschel meant when he commented on one of his shows, a few years ago, that the Church is in need of reform, we need to stop being afraid to talk about real ‘truths.’

 

[whatevergirl]

Although I want to agree with you that they should, is it possible that they don’t because the topic is sex…and there are young children at mass?

They don’t have to talk about sex…per se. They can bring up doctrine, and talk about birth control, etc…

Back in the ‘old days’ priests were not hesitant to discuss topics in a more ‘in your face’ kind of way…children were present at those masses. It’s important that they use discretion, but the topics need to be brought up…and/or at least…maybe the priest, in an announcement…‘there is a brochure in the back, I’d like all of you take a copy, talking about the Church’s stance on ABC, etc…’

In our bulletin during Lent, every week, it states the regulations about abstaining, etc…and that is another spot where something could be said about these topics…in a paragraph, etc…There just isn’t enough teaching or at least attention drawn to this, coming from our parishes.

 

[whatevergirl]

I have never heard it from the pulpit. Yes, they should preach the hard stuff.

There are marvelous resources that they could use or point us to on the web. They could talk about it in a Pastor’s column in the bulletin. There are so many ways if they have the will.

And as parents when we talk about it from our kids but never hear it from the authorities in the Church, how does that help us? It doesn’t, not one bit.

Exactly, buffalo. I know our priests are tasked with so much nowadays…but this needs to be a priority to them. After seeing how many Catholics (real stats) voted for Obama, a very pro abortion candidate…the most pro abortion President ever to hold office…it is alarming to me. I always try to give the benefit of the doubt, and I have to wonder if some of these folks just don’t care, or if they just don’t know WHY abortion is sinful. Is evil. Is murder. It’s just not talked about. At least in the parishes here in Florida. I have been to a few.

And like you say…it does not have to be details during the homily, but it can be as simple as…take a bulletin, there is a nice article we captured off of the web on …such and such.

There just is nothing like this happening…I’m sure there are parishes who do talk about such things…but I have attended many parishes over the years…every Sunday. The one we faithfully went to in PA, never talking about it…and the ones here in Florida don’t either.

 

[HouseArrest]

I don’t hear it at Mass either. Our pastor seems to be afraid to step on toes, although if he would go about describing the beauty of the Church’s teachings there shouldn’t be any reason for anyone to get upset.

 

[whatevergirl]

All I’m saying, before we jump all over someone who is Catholic, who should know the teachings of the Church on ABC, NFP, etc…remember that there are many like I was out there, who just didn’t know enough to know what I was doing all those years with my husband…was wrong. I’m not making excuses, but now that I know–I know! Our local parishes have a responsibility to catechize. Not that is where it should stop as far as educating ourselves, but they should be playing a role in tackling some of these topics during mass.

 

[whatevergirl]

I don’t hear it at Mass either. Our pastor seems to be afraid to step on toes, although if he would go about describing the beauty of the Church’s teachings there shouldn’t be any reason for anyone to get upset.

Exactly! If people leave the parish, then they leave. :shrug:Oh well. Following Christ is not easy, and He told us it would not be easy. Doesn’t mean we as Catholics should walk around with an albatross around our necks at all times, but there are times when the teachings of the Church will ‘feel’ like crosses to bear. My dh and I have had our share since learning more, but over time…it has gotten easier. Why? Because Christ is bearing the weight of the cross with us. We never go it alone. The Church doesn’t give us these teachings to weight us down, rather to life us up. The beauty of this, is that you grow when you suffer…you grow when you learn to rely on Christ through the suffering. If the teachings of the Church on such issues would be taught in that way…we’d see our masses packed every Sunday…we’d see less people voting for pro abortion Presidents…we’d see much more educated Catholics on their own faith. Shame on us if a non Catholic knows more about our faith than we do!

 

[happymommy]

All I’m saying, before we jump all over someone who is Catholic, who should know the teachings of the Church on ABC, NFP, etc…remember that there are many like I was out there, who just didn’t know enough to know what I was doing all those years with my husband…was wrong. I’m not making excuses, but now that I know–I know! Our local parishes have a responsibility to catechize. Not that is where it should stop as far as educating ourselves, but they should be playing a role in tackling some of these topics during mass.

You are right! My husband was raised Catholic, I was not. We didn’t know the Churches teachings on ABC for many years! It was never mentioned! People are uninformed. They are sinning and many don’t know it. There is something in the bulletin every few months, maybe once a year, and we looked into it from there, but the first 5 or 6 years of our marriage we were living in sin! Now, we have confessed that, but I still feel so very sad to think that I had shut God out of lives and I pray that no babies were killed because of my selfishness!
Will some people be upset by the Priest talking about it in thier homilies? YES, but we also had a family leave our parish because Father talked about abortion! You can’t please everyone, but he has to be honest about the teachings of the Church and he must get that information out!

 

[whatevergirl]

I’m sorry happymommy, I was right there along with you, never thinking using ABC was wrong, or sinful. Truly just ignorant.

I remember reading something many years ago about it being sinful in the eyes of God, and decided to start investigating…and investigating…reading more on Church teachings…and finally, dh and I learned. It would have been helpful to have heard it from our priest. Now, when I confessed this years ago, the priest was kind to say that not knowing was mortally sinful, but I still wanted to confess.

 

[whatevergirl]

I think people are leaving the Church, because it isn’t teaching the hard stuff. I believe that. Churches were packed to the gills when I was growing up…and my sister said the same,when she went to church as a kid. The priests were preaching about hell, sin, and the consequences…in loving ways, as I faintly recall. Occasionally, there were priests who seemed a little impatient. lol But, I think we are seeing a decline in the priesthood, for many reasons–but one of them I think is this…that priests used to be revered and looked at to really teach people about the details of the faith. They were ‘trusted advisors’ if you will…of the Word of God. Now, they are often not respected, made fun of in media and on cartoons, etc…and have shyed away from preaching about some of the harder topics.

Standing firm on issues, and allowing people to walk away from Truth, is better than not teaching it at all. I think people are thristing for Truth, nowadays. Gosh, everyone is so PC, and scared to offend. When you come to mass, be prepared to possibly be offended…lol If you’re living in sin, you need to know it! You need to learn how to change.

 

[Em_in_FL]

I think it’s a VERY FINE LINE between teaching and condemning that priests have to walk, and it is DEFINITELY a very difficult job.
People are afraid to think that they’re sinning or doing something gravely evil or wrong. They simply don’t want to hear it. BUT, the sins NEED to be pointed out and have them directed towards holiness. Priests don’t need to judge or condemn or point fingers in order to teach and guide their parishes. But they DO need to be informed about the subjects and not be afraid to answer questions! I think many of the priests are afraid to bring up the topics because they aren’t fully informed themselves on the “how-to’s” of NFP. They don’t have to be, but I’m sure they’re afraid that the questions will come up, kwim? I think it’s fear.

 

[Katie1723]

Ya got me thinking here Sharon. And I wish the parish would have classes for those of us who are interested in learning about different things like you mentioned. They have RCIA classes for those wanting to join and I have attended those. But all we hear is “don’t use ABC” but not too much on the “why” It would be neat if there was a survey take on what folks would like to hear about and then have someone knowledgeable give the Catholic perspective. I realize that may be a lot to ask, but how can we learn if we don’t ask??
Kathy

 

[catholic79]

It is a very fine line between sounding like your condemning the person who is sinning or the sin. Our priest do have a very difficult job, we need to pray for them often!

I had been Catholic for 25 years before I heard a homily on the churches position on contraception. I hated this priest for months because he brought to light for me in NO uncertain terms, that there was NO justifiable reason for contraception! I think my reaction (which I am not proud of) is the reason priests stay away from this and other “harder” teachings of our Church. Who wants to get e-mails and phone calls from upset parishioners, I think a lot of our priest are good men who WANT to teach the faith but don’t want to deal with the backlash.

The other side of teaching about sin is teaching about how we receive forgiveness, mercy, and grace. IMHO we don’t have enough homilies encouraging confession either.

 

[Cracker_Mom]

Oh my goodness-YES!
If parishoners don’t know about NFP who’s fault is that?
We definitely need more teaching from the pulpit.

 

[whatevergirl]

It is a very fine line between sounding like your condemning the person who is sinning or the sin. Our priest do have a very difficult job, we need to pray for them often!

I had been Catholic for 25 years before I heard a homily on the churches position on contraception. I hated this priest for months because he brought to light for me in NO uncertain terms, that there was NO justifiable reason for contraception! I think my reaction (which I am not proud of) is the reason priests stay away from this and other “harder” teachings of our Church. Who wants to get e-mails and phone calls from upset parishioners, I think a lot of our priest are good men who WANT to teach the faith but don’t want to deal with the backlash.

The other side of teaching about sin is teaching about how we receive forgiveness, mercy, and grace. IMHO we don’t have enough homilies encouraging confession either.

I’m not condemning people. Confused by your first sentence.

I agree…there needs to be more teaching on confession, as well…although, I admit…the parishes I have belonged to…really talk about that quite a bit. It’s great!

I think if we talked about NFP, ABC, etc…as often as we tell people to not eat meat on Fridays during Lent, it will become natural, and not a fearful conversation. Not eating meat is far easier than following NFP, to a degree, but we need to get comfortable talking about the faith, in its entirety. If we are fearful to discuss the Truths of our faith with other fellow Catholics…then, we can’t blame them for not knowing it.

 

[catholic79]

:sad_yes::nope:

Oh whatevergirl you misunderstood! I meant the priest in their homilies! I am so sorry if you thought that was to you! :bigyikes:

I agree with you I think we need more priest willing to talk about NFP, I am not making my points very well this morning.

I think I need more sleep,

 

[dulcissima]

The homily is probably not the best time for priest to discuss NFP or ABC. Priests do not have the same freedom to bring up whatever topic they want in the homily the way that evangelical ministers do in their sermon. Homilies are supposed to address the Gospel reading for that day. From New Advent:

*At present there are four recognized ways of treating the homily, but not all to be equally commended.

The first method consists in treating separately each sentence of the Gospel. This was the uniform method of St. Anselm, as we gather from the sixteen sermons that have come down to us. It is not to be recommended, for it gives, at best, but a fragmentary and scattered treatment.

The second method is quite the opposite; it focuses the entire content of the Gospel in a single idea. It is usually called the “higher homily”, and differs from the formal or set sermon only in the absence of introduction and peroration. It is clear that only certain Gospels can be treated in this way.

The third kind selects some virtue or vice arising out of the Gospel, and treats one or the other to the exclusion of all else. This kind of homily is commonly called a “prone”.
The fourth kind is that which first paraphrases and explains the entire Gospel, and then makes an application of it. This, the method of St. Chrysostom, seems, except where the “higher homily” applies, to be the best, because it can guard against the besetting defect of the homily, namely, a tendency to lack of unity and continuity.*

If you want priests to instruct more on NFP it would probably best be done at an evening lecture.