The place of laypersons in speaking on the faith

[jecs2000]

I am 38 years old. I was raised Catholic in a small mostly Catholic town 'till highschool. My family left the church after the divorce of my parents. I went to college and studied biology in Arizona where most Chrisitians weren’t Catholic and tried convincing me that Darwin was actually Satan. Most of their claims were so ridiculous that without my previous connection to my own faith I was left with agnosticism or idiocy. I was agnostic. I met an Episcopal priest in my 20s who re-convinced me of the importance of things you can’t test or see, which eventually brought me and my whole family back to the church. I feel I have learned an enormous amount about my faith and about the pain of being seperated from it. I also learned what spirituality looks like to those on the outside, because I was sort of one of them. I have much to say especially to people who have left the church or are questioning their faith. The problem is knowing my place as a teacher of faith. Do I have one? Catholic laypersons don’t seem to attempt interpretations of scripture or wrestle with theological questions. Is that just the culture of the congregation or do I have no business doing those things? Is interpretation of church doctrine and scripture only for the clergy? I have started several writings, several times and always stop short as I’m afraid I don’t have the authority to discuss theological topics. I’ve always wanted to ask my Pastor but am actually embarrassed that 1. I don’t know the answer. and 2. That such a question would reflect poorly on me as a Catholic. Can anyone out there shed light on this? I know that I can bring something to the discussion as I’ve been told by other’s in my congregation and my family that I’ve positively impacted there faith. I feel I’m hiding if I don’t but I feel I’m being too presumptive if I do. My first attempts at writing were in my early 20s. I stopped at that point and decided I was too young to tell anyone anything about something as big as God. I have made more recent attempts and now that I’m approaching 40 and have much more experience and insight I have to conclude that my inhibitions with regard to such writings must be due to feeling guilty about preaching without authorization. Many of my thoughts on the church, how it relates to the populace, how being Catholic fits in todays world, are unorthodox and maybe that adds to my hesitation. But if I wasn’t offering a new perspective I wouldn’t have any reason to write. Anyway, has anyone else dealt with this? What do we laypersons have the right to say?

 

[JRKH]

Given the number of books out there by laypersons, I feel confident in saying that you are perfectly within your rights as a Catholic layperson to write, speak and teach.

Two caveats here:

1. One needs to be careful to only teach from and in accordance with official church doctrine.
2. Relating to the first, if one chooses to teach, one takes on greater responsibility to be accurate and teach only the Truth. Jesus does not describe a good outcome for those who lead others astray.

Peace
James

 

[r4j]

Some ideas:
Get a spiritual director - discuss with him/her.
Ask God what He would like you to do.
Enroll in courses.
Become a catechist.
I believe we, the laity, have a responsibility to impart the faith to others - it is an act of love to do so. We can impart through words and actions.

 

[Edward_H]

I am 38 years old. I was raised Catholic in a small mostly Catholic town 'till highschool. My family left the church after the divorce of my parents. I went to college and studied biology in Arizona where most Chrisitians weren’t Catholic and tried convincing me that Darwin was actually Satan. Most of their claims were so ridiculous that without my previous connection to my own faith I was left with agnosticism or idiocy. I was agnostic. I met an Episcopal priest in my 20s who re-convinced me of the importance of things you can’t test or see, which eventually brought me and my whole family back to the church. I feel I have learned an enormous amount about my faith and about the pain of being seperated from it. I also learned what spirituality looks like to those on the outside, because I was sort of one of them. I have much to say especially to people who have left the church or are questioning their faith. The problem is knowing my place as a teacher of faith. Do I have one? Catholic laypersons don’t seem to attempt interpretations of scripture or wrestle with theological questions. Is that just the culture of the congregation or do I have no business doing those things? Is interpretation of church doctrine and scripture only for the clergy? I have started several writings, several times and always stop short as I’m afraid I don’t have the authority to discuss theological topics. I’ve always wanted to ask my Pastor but am actually embarrassed that 1. I don’t know the answer. and 2. That such a question would reflect poorly on me as a Catholic. Can anyone out there shed light on this? I know that I can bring something to the discussion as I’ve been told by other’s in my congregation and my family that I’ve positively impacted there faith. I feel I’m hiding if I don’t but I feel I’m being too presumptive if I do. My first attempts at writing were in my early 20s. I stopped at that point and decided I was too young to tell anyone anything about something as big as God. I have made more recent attempts and now that I’m approaching 40 and have much more experience and insight I have to conclude that my inhibitions with regard to such writings must be due to feeling guilty about preaching without authorization. Many of my thoughts on the church, how it relates to the populace, how being Catholic fits in todays world, are unorthodox and maybe that adds to my hesitation. But if I wasn’t offering a new perspective I wouldn’t have any reason to write. Anyway, has anyone else dealt with this? What do we laypersons have the right to say?

Our job is to bring the truth and joy of the Gospel to all the people who wouldn’t otherwise make it into church for the 1 hour of the week.

Think…where are these people during the week. They are working and walking and playing and driving and shopping.

We meet them in the world. And we might be the closest they get to Jesus all week.

We need to know our doctrine. We need to develop virtues…otherwise these people will see hollow soft Christians…they won’t sense the Holy Spirit overflowing in us.

That’s our role…is to bring Christ to them where they are.