Skipping Eucharist as a sort of protest?

[SeekerofTruth27]

You would be much more productive having a face to face discussion with this elderly priest, rather than silently protesting by refusing Our Lord. However, if you’re not Catholic (I don’t know what “kind of protestant” means) then you shouldn’t be receiving Communion.

Also, a priest can speak about political issues during his homily if they cross into the area of moral responsibility, which they often do. For example, the HHS mandate seeks to force us to provide abortion and birth control, feminists often push their agenda too far (i.e. saying women should be priests), liberalism sometimes seeks to turn personal responsibility (i.e. helping the poor) into a government mandate. Let me know if these are the types of things that your priest talks about.

God bless

 

[7_Sorrows]

I have the opposite problem at my parish.
Usually we hear support for liberal issues.
I would love to hear homilies supporting church teachings.

However i would never think of punishing the homilist by depriving myself of receiving the eucharist. That would be punishing me not the person giving the homily.

I am curious how it is to be part catholic/part protestant.

 

[Robyn_p]

Well, in this case the Eucharist is sort of un-involved, if you get my drift. I know we can’t take communion if we’re not properly disposed, but is there any requirement that was MUST take communion if we are?

No. We’re only required to receive once a year during the Easter season.

If you’re angry and don’t feel properly disposed, you don’t have to receive. That’s ok. But I wouldn’t refrain out of protest, since the Eucharist is Our Lord. I don’t think using God as a tool to prove a point is good. Even if the point is valid.

You’re right that the Mass isn’t about politics, but I’m afraid protesting a political thing the priest said will only have the opposite effect you want. It will take the focus off of worshipping God and onto politics.

At the very least it takes the focus of your own heart off of Him. Is it really worth it?

We all have to experience bad homilies eventually, no reason to let it take you away from receiving Christ.

 

[phil19034]

P.S > It appears you’re still too young to vote even, so I’ll cut you some slack on not realizing why feminism is a) important and b) not out of line with church teachings. I suggest you read this for some good perspective on it: uscatholic.org/church/2009/01/catholic-and-feminist-you-got-a-problem-with

I would like to warn you and other people reading this post that uscatholic.org is a dissent website according to CatholicCulture.org. I would take anything from them with a grain of salt and would not recommend their site or magazine as a go-to resource.

catholicculture.org/culture/reviews/view.cfm?recnum=1521&repos=2&subrepos=0&searchid=1380039

To date, CatholicCulture has 126 websites on their Red list due several reasons, I recommend checking this list out to make sure you haven’t been reading a dangerous site:

catholicculture.org/search/resultslist.cfm?resourcetype=2&requesttype=sitebrowserate&fidelity=red&resources=0&useability=0

God Bless.

 

[hope19]

So here’s the deal. Every now and then I attend a different church while visiting relatives. They have a priest rotation there, and there is one priest I just do not like.

He is very political – obnoxiously so in my opinion – and can’t seem to get through a single homily without taking a dig at liberals, feminists, the president, etc. I do not believe Mass is the place for that.

This weekend I was so frustrated with him that I decided not to take communion – partly because I was actively angry and didn’t think that was the right frame of mind, and partly because it occurred to me that if everyone who found his homilies offensive refused to take communion when he’s there, maybe he would realize how his diatribes are actually creating a rift instead of bringing the church together.

Just curious what people thought of that idea – either not taking communion when you’re angry or not taking it as a sort of silent protest.

Like others said, if you are protestant, you should not receive the Holy Communion.
Political points of view is not a reason to skip the Communion.

We need this kind of priests.

hope19

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Well, in this case the Eucharist is sort of un-involved, if you get my drift. I know we can’t take communion if we’re not properly disposed, but is there any requirement that was MUST take communion if we are?

I realize a protest that the priest isn’t aware of probably isn’t very effective. How else could I, as a visitor, convey to this older, somewhat misogynistic priest that he is offending members of the church with his message?

Sorry but most priest are going to offend some people. I’m like the other poster—I wish we heard more of this! For example, what the President is doing/trying to do to Religious Freedom. Or feminist or liberals that push an abortion agenda. Yes, I realize not all feminist do but there is a large majority.

Sorry but if you don’t like it…then find a priest that is just an ear tickler but how on earth will you EVER be challenged or grow?

 

[Discerning13]

The fact is liberalism and feminism are perfectly in line with Church teachings and that attitudes like yours (and this priest’s) are what keep more young, educated people from staying in the church. Last time I checked, equality, environmental stewardship, social programs that care for the less fortunate, etc. were all pretty tightly in line with Church teaching. The fact is that both main political parties can claim to be more in line with Christianity on certain issues and less in line on others. And the fact that one of those political parties holds itself out as being morally superior – or that religious leaders like this priest buy into that – sickens me.

God is not with one political party more than another. And God most certainly does not side with those who think women working for equal rights and equal treatment is somehow un-Christian.

P.S > It appears you’re still too young to vote even, so I’ll cut you some slack on not realizing why feminism is a) important and b) not out of line with church teachings. I suggest you read this for some good perspective on it: uscatholic.org/church/2009/01/catholic-and-feminist-you-got-a-problem-with

I am a young educated person. I am quite attracted to the Catholic Faith. Authentic Catholic faith that is. Not some watered down protestant-like version of it. Liberalism is a political ideology that teaches the ‘young’ people that nothing matters but themselves. You want to have sex without consequences? It’s fine, just murder your child. Liberalism teaches us that no matter what, you are not accountable to any authority, you are free! Sadly, many will learn when they fall before God on the judgement day that you are in fact going to be held accountable for your actions… Even on Earth itself, morals, or the lack there of have lead to the destruction of the world’s greatest Empires. I.E. The Roman began to abandon their morality, they began to regard the adultery of their leaders as acceptable, the had orgies in the palaces! Prostitution flourished and the lower classes began to abandon their works to have some fun. What happened? They fell.

Feminism? Well, now that’s a story I’d rather not get into but…Honestly? Flashing your private parts at men won’t make them think of you any better. Hey, don’t want men looking at you like that? Put on some clothing for goodness sake. It’s a joke, really. The notion that women are being oppressed because someone refused to pay for the drugs they use to kill their children.

 

[ProVobis]

But why if you are properly disposed would you want to pass that up?

That’s just it. How can you be properly disposed, not necessarily in the state of mortal sin, if you are angry at someone or something, enough not to want to go to communion? And I sometimes sense a lot of anger in church. Shouldn’t desire to receive be a reasonable condition of disposition? What kind of spirituality can come out of it by approaching communion in a perfunctory or forced manner? It seems more harm can come out of it by feeling forced to receive, unlike attending Mass. Anger can be quite blinding at times. But that’s my opinion.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

I am a young educated person. I am quite attracted to the Catholic Faith. Authentic Catholic faith that is. Not some watered down protestant-like version of it. Liberalism is a political ideology that teaches the ‘young’ people that nothing matters but themselves. You want to have sex without consequences? It’s fine, just murder your child. Liberalism teaches us that no matter what, you are not accountable to any authority, you are free! Sadly, many will learn when they fall before God on the judgement day that you are in fact going to be held accountable for your actions… Even on Earth itself, morals, or the lack there of have lead to the destruction of the world’s greatest Empires. I.E. The Roman began to abandon their morality, they began to regard the adultery of their leaders as acceptable, the had orgies in the palaces! Prostitution flourished and the lower classes began to abandon their works to have some fun. What happened? They fell.

Feminism? Well, now that’s a story I’d rather not get into but…Honestly? Flashing your private parts at men won’t make them think of you any better. Hey, don’t want men looking at you like that? Put on some clothing for goodness sake. It’s a joke, really. The notion that women are being oppressed because someone refused to pay for the drugs they use to kill their children.

You’re 13, you’re not educated by even the most basic standards of education yet.
You also have a very twisted view of what liberalism and feminism are. Seriously, read that article I sent you. Or even just look up the definition of those words in a dictionary. It’s great you are passionate about your faith but make sure you read some non-religious stuff sometimes too. It’s bad to live in a bubble.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I don’t understand how you feel you can take a priest to task when the church you are attending is not even your parish. You said you go there sometimes while visiting relatives.

Also, using the Eucharist as an item of protest seems, uh, rather ungodly, and may even jepadorize your own soul. God is the Sovereign King and not a pawn in a protest.

I think you have a lot of pondering to do.

 

[Discerning13]

You’re 13, you’re not educated by even the most basic standards of education yet.
You also have a very twisted view of what liberalism and feminism are. Seriously, read that article I sent you. Or even just look up the definition of those words in a dictionary. It’s great you are passionate about your faith but make sure you read some non-religious stuff sometimes too. It’s bad to live in a bubble.

I’m not thirteen, even if I was, my age wouldn’t determine my level of education. I don’t live in a bubble, I read secular news all the time. Liberalism is a godless ideology that pushes for the liberation of people from morality. Liberals in the United States of America for example, how can you possibly think that what they do is in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church? They push for homosexual ‘marriage’, they are advocates of abortion, and they demand free contraception among other things. The notion of Liberalism is dandy but what it actually is, what it actually support now is completely contrary to the teachings of the Church. I don’t live in a bubble, I simply live out my Catholic faith unlike lukewarm ‘Catholics’.

 

[styrgwillidar]

So here’s the deal. Every now and then I attend a different church while visiting relatives. They have a priest rotation there, and there is one priest I just do not like.

He is very political – obnoxiously so in my opinion – and can’t seem to get through a single homily without taking a dig at liberals, feminists, the president, etc. I do not believe Mass is the place for that.

This weekend I was so frustrated with him that I decided not to take communion – partly because I was actively angry and didn’t think that was the right frame of mind, and partly because it occurred to me that if everyone who found his homilies offensive refused to take communion when he’s there, maybe he would realize how his diatribes are actually creating a rift instead of bringing the church together.

Just curious what people thought of that idea – either not taking communion when you’re angry or not taking it as a sort of silent protest.

I would suggest you listen to the priest, consider his arguments and ponder his points vice focusing on ‘liberalism’ or ‘feminism’ labels. It is the mark of an educated person that they can listen to an opposing view, consider it in the context and intent of the person presenting it without getting overly emotional. If they’re wrong, they’re wrong- one can see why without taking it personally. Go see him in private and have a discussion about the issues. You may learn something, you may understand his perspective better and get away from labels. It is the sign of a charitable Catholic that we can listen to someone while trying to see the best in them, and give them the benefit of the doubt. It can lead to a much better understanding of issues and ourselves. The man is putting effort into planning and giving those homilies, he’s trying to emphasize Church teaching, he is not trying to offend you.

I’ve heard Pope Francis described as both a conservative and a liberal. I try to focus on the man’s teaching and his example- I don’t always agree with him but I listen and consider all his comments carefully.

Those labels mean different things to different people and can cover a lot of ground. There’s first, second, third and for all I know fourth wave feminism. Some of it pushes some things contradictory to Church teaching, some of it is based not on the idea of equality but of misandry. Hatred of men. (Always interesting to me to hear who got the Margaret Sanger award from planned parenthood- an award named for a eugenicist who actually saw abortion for what it was, infanticide, the murdering of children and a thing to be avoided). Consider the priest’s comments not as a critique of all folks under the broad feminist umbrella-- but of the specific segments within it.

ETA; I find a branch of femnism very demeaning and insulting to women, that branch that puts forward that women are the perpetual victims. That they are incapable of looking out after their own interests or making their own decisions and need special considerations/protections in their dealings. That the man should always be held to a higher standard of behavior, decision making capability than the woman. Nonsense.

I would not allow my disagreement with a member of the clergy to separate me from God in the Eucharist. My own sins and failings are enough of an impediment to receiving the Eucharist at times withoun inserting another, quite unecessary, obstacle.

 

[rinnie]

So here’s the deal. Every now and then I attend a different church while visiting relatives. They have a priest rotation there, and there is one priest I just do not like.

He is very political – obnoxiously so in my opinion – and can’t seem to get through a single homily without taking a dig at liberals, feminists, the president, etc. I do not believe Mass is the place for that.

This weekend I was so frustrated with him that I decided not to take communion – partly because I was actively angry and didn’t think that was the right frame of mind, and partly because it occurred to me that if everyone who found his homilies offensive refused to take communion when he’s there, maybe he would realize how his diatribes are actually creating a rift instead of bringing the church together.

Just curious what people thought of that idea – either not taking communion when you’re angry or not taking it as a sort of silent protest.

Well since you asked I would not let anyone come between me and my loving Jesus. I go to Church for ONE thing, and ONE thing only. To receive Christ in the Eucharist that his death on the cross made possible for me.

I NEED that communion of Christ entering into my SOUL for the whole week. It helps me cope and be a better person. Its a Grace I can’t live without.

With that said, try not to take the Priest to personal, while I agree he may not be your cup of tea, just appreciate what HE CAN DO, that no one else can at that time, and give you Christ in the Eucharist.

Then just chill and let it go, I know how frustrating it is to have a Priest you can’t connect with, I have it myself from time to time. We all do.

But thank God that he is there and is a Priest and when you feel your anger getting ahead of you, take a step back and concentrate on what coming, your chance to receive Christ body and soul into your own body. ITs worth it!

 

[QuasiCatholic]

I’m not thirteen, even if I was, my age wouldn’t determine my level of education. I don’t live in a bubble, I read secular news all the time. Liberalism is a godless ideology that pushes for the liberation of people from morality. Liberals in the United States of America for example, how can you possibly think that what they do is in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church? They push for homosexual ‘marriage’, they are advocates of abortion, and they demand free contraception among other things. The notion of Liberalism is dandy but what it actually is, what it actually support now is completely contrary to the teachings of the Church. I don’t live in a bubble, I simply live out my Catholic faith unlike lukewarm ‘Catholics’.

Your account says you joined last year and the public profile you’ve deleted since this morning said you were 13. So you’re what, 14 now? Or you’re an adult who was lying about being a teen in your profile, which is creepy.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

PS - to answer everyone’s question, I’m a recent convert. I picked my username while I was still in RCIA, but decided to keep it because I think there’s a lot to be said for acknowledging your roots and for having a different perspective on things.

Catholics could actually learn a few things from Protestants – like not walk out before church is actually over, for example

 

[violetandgandal]

Just curious what people thought of that idea – either not taking communion when you’re angry or not taking it as a sort of silent protest.

In the first place, we don’t TAKE communion; we RECEIVE it.

 

[JD27076]

Your account says you joined last year and the public profile you’ve deleted since this morning said you were 13. So you’re what, 14 now? Or you’re an adult who was lying about being a teen in your profile, which is creepy.

I think you should listen to Discerning13… he knows more about the Catholic Church than you do apparently. His views, unlike yours, are in line with correct Catholic teaching. The Church has built civilizations for 2000 years without feminism and liberalism… it can do the same for another 2000 years.

 

[Discerning13]

[edited] Even a ten year old would know that the Eucharist is sacred, not some cracker that you use to force your wicked political ideologies on the Church. At no point in time did I ever say God sided with one political party either. It is simply a fact that Liberalism as it is now rampant in America clearly goes against the teachings of the Church. Liberalism supports sodomy, murder and contraception among other things.

 

[QuasiCatholic]

[edited] Even a ten year old would know that the Eucharist is sacred, not some cracker that you use to force your wicked political ideologies on the Church. At no point in time did I ever say God sided with one political party either. It is simply a fact that Liberalism as it is now rampant in America clearly goes against the teachings of the Church. Liberalism supports sodomy, murder and contraception among other things.

[edited]

As to your statements about liberalism, I would counter that conservatism as it is currently rampant in America supports destruction of natural resources, unfair wage practices, the death penalty, etc., all of which also clearly go against the teachings of the Church. In historical context, Liberalism is, by definition, “a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual.” Christianity is essentially a liberal religion – we’re autonomous (we have free will) and we are essentially good (as is all of God’s creation). And Jesus, who would have been a liberal by the standards of his time, was certainly progressive – he treated women with far more respect than was typical at the time, he ate with people of all different backgrounds and faiths, he pushed people to adopt better social policies (such as not stoning each other) and his actions lead to a giant sea change in the status quo re: religious and political power.

I hate that most Christians feel they need to align themselves with the conservative parties over three issues – birth control, abortion and gay marriage – that only directly affect a relatively small portion of people, while ignoring the many other issues that affect EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US on which liberal policies are clearly more Christian.

 

[Walking_Home]

[edited] Even a ten year old would know that the Eucharist is sacred, not some cracker that you use to force your wicked political ideologies on the Church. At no point in time did I ever say God sided with one political party either. It is simply a fact that Liberalism as it is now rampant in America clearly goes against the teachings of the Church. Liberalism supports sodomy, murder and contraception among other things.

---

Just so you know – and to add to your education. Pope John Paul II now Saint — is also known as the feminist Pope. He initiated was is known as the new feminism. Oh, and the label of “liberal”/“modernist”/etc. has been flung at Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis – by certain groups.