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rev_kevin
Guest
Thank you. I will go the the forums you directed me to go to. Once again thank you.
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rev_kevin
Guest
Thank you. This puts Light on the questions that have been puzzling me. It gives me a better understanding of the Catholic Faith.It is getting better, but historically, no.
Some priests are married. Brothers (monks) and nuns are responding to the call of celibacy. They become eunuchs for the Kingdom of God. They don’t marry so that their interests will not be divided, and they can serve the Kingdom with their full attention.
Some Catholics tell their sins to a lot of people.
Priests have been empowed by God to forgive and retain sins in His name, and Jesus gave us this gift so that we can know we are absolved of our sins, or if we are not properly turning away from our sins
Not all of them do, but this is a common pennance. The purpose of it is to make reparation for sins. Prayer helps to heal the wounds caused by sins.
Historically most Catholics in the Latin Rite were illiterate, esp. in Europe. The images were used to tell the stories of the gospel.
I am glad that you are now finding out!
I had a lot of the same kind of puzzlements. Once I got answers to my questions, there was no reason for me to stay away from home.
We have been very blessed in the last century by holy popes.
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guanophore
Guest
What I did not include that I think is very relevant is that the Latin Rite prefers to choose for priests those who have been called to, and recieved, the gift of celibacy. There are a lot of factors involved in this discipline, which does not apply to the Eastern Rites. However, since the beginning, those who take priestly or deacon vows have never afterwards married. In the Eastern Rites, deacons and priests may enter service married, but if they are widowed or their wife chooses not to remain with them, they do not remarry. And in all Rites, all those called to service as bishops are vowed to celibacy.
thank you for bringing your questions, rev kev.
It is for people such as yourself that CAF exists.
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2nd_Adam
Guest
I think you have overlooked the Catholic Catechism in regards to Christians from non-Catholic churches who have been baptized, being called brothers and sisters in Christ. The Catholic Church acknowledges their union with Jesus Christ. When a person is united to Christ, he moves from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. He is now a citizen of the Kingdom of God, and eternal adopted Son of our Heavenly Father. You cannot have a partial citizenship in the Kingdom of God. You are either in or out. I think you need to mediate on the Catechism in regards to those baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and those in non-Christian Faith and make a sharp distinction between the two groups. Are Protestants your seperated brother, sharing in all the promises of God? If a person is united to Christ, then all the promises of God are yes in Christ. It is our union with Christ that we are secure forever, and not our membership of our particular church. Being a member of the Catholic Church does not necesarily make you an eternal child of God (my understanding of the Catholic Faith).
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tweetymom
Guest
I am sorry that you feel that way, God Bless you anyway with your journey with Jesus:thumbsup:
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2nd_Adam
Guest
Who belongs to the Catholic Church?
836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God’s grace to salvation."320
837 "Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who - by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion - are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but ‘in body’ not ‘in heart.’"321
838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."322 Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."323 With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist."324
**The Church and non-Christians **
839 "Those who have not yet received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways."325
The relationship of the Church with the Jewish People. When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People,326 "the first to hear the Word of God."327 The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God’s revelation in the Old Covenant. To the Jews “belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ”,328 "for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."329
840 And when one considers the future, God’s People of the Old Covenant and the new People of God tend towards similar goals: expectation of the coming (or the return) of the Messiah. But one awaits the return of the Messiah who died and rose from the dead and is recognized as Lord and Son of God; the other awaits the coming of a Messiah, whose features remain hidden till the end of time; and the latter waiting is accompanied by the drama of not knowing or of misunderstanding Christ Jesus.
841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day."330
842 The Church’s bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:
All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city. . .331
843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life."332
844 In their religious behavior, however, men also display the limits and errors that disfigure the image of God in them:
Very often, deceived by the Evil One, men have become vain in their reasonings, and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and served the creature rather than the Creator. Or else, living and dying in this world without God, they are exposed to ultimate despair.333
845 To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son’s Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. The Church is “the world reconciled.” She is that bark which “in the full sail of the Lord’s cross, by the breath of the Holy Spirit, navigates safely in this world.” According to another image dear to the Church Fathers, she is prefigured by Noah’s ark, which alone saves from the flood.334
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Pug
Guest
If I as a Catholic cannot recognize the dignity of a person who has been baptized and incorporated into Christ, then this is a fault in my understanding of my own beliefs, Also, a failure to love another is indeed a failure on my part. It does not matter if they are a Hindu, atheist, Christian. It would still be a failure. We ought to strive to assist those whom we meet. If we ignored those who disagree with us, this would not be in keeping with what Christ would have us do.
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nsper7
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I wish to reiterate that the bolded words are not mine, but St. Pius IX’s.
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guanophore
Guest
I think that is tweety’s way of saying “well, the Pope is wrong, and if you agree with him, you are wrong too, but God bless y’all anyhow”.
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2nd_Adam
Guest
That’s why I adhere to Scripture over the Catholic Magestrium. Do you consider the mission field to be Muslims, Hindus, Athesists and Protestants? Why or why not?
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2nd_Adam
Guest
Do you consider the mission field to be Muslims, Hindus, Athesists and Protestants? Why or why not? Please answer the difficult questions and don’t gloss over them.I think that is tweety’s way of saying “well, the Pope is wrong, and if you agree with him, you are wrong too, but God bless y’all anyhow”.
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guanophore
Guest
There is no contradiction between what the Magesterium teaches, and the Sacred Scriptures. While not every writing of the Pope is considered infallible, in this case, what the Pope has written is consitent with what the Apostles taught.
Have you ever read the Early Church Fathers, 2nd?
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guanophore
Guest
My mission field is here in CAF right now, and all those who cross my path every day. none of the 'categories" you cited are necessarily a mission field. I am in agreement with you that people are either joined with the first Adam, or the Second. Persons that need to be born again are found in all these places.
The fact that you don’'t like or agree with the answers, 2nd, does not mean they were not provided for you.
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MelanieAnne
Guest
Gee, and you joined a CATHOLIC website to, WHAT? educate the poor misguided Catholics? Tell us how dumb we are? What? And what about those of us that were once Protestant, and are now Catholic? Dumb and Dumber?
Just so you know ~ the BIBLE, the book you reference in your post, was compiled by CATHOLICS. So while you excoriate the Catholic faith for your perceived lack of familiarity (it’s a stereotype that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny by the way) you need to do the right thing and give the Catholic faith your reverence and appreciation for making sure you actually HAVE a Bible to read. Without Catholics you would have NOTHING to read. How many Protestant faiths bother to tell you that? Um, I’m thinking at least YOURS conveniently forgot.
And as for the “word”. What do you suppose the “Word” of God was before the Bible was compiled? Sorry if that confuses you, but for hundreds of years Christians had the Word of God without having a book to read. I’ll be nice and give you the answer ~ the Word of God is Jesus. The Word of God is not a book, the Word of God is a Person. His name is Jesus Christ. And if you have any doubt about that, read the first part of the Gospel of John.
Actually, what you have displayed by your post is that you don’t know what you are talking about, and I say that with all due respect. How about if you educate yourself and then come back and instruct us?
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Pug
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I’m going to guess that you mean by “mission field” something like those people whom I would likely categorize as not yet converted to Christ. If so, I would not class a Protestant in that category. (I am not talking about someone who had Protestant parents but never believed, etc. Also, “Protestant” is sometimes a vague category, and I am agreeing for the sake of the thread to lump them.) So, I do not consider a Protestant in the same category as the other three.
As a clarification, although I often call myself a convert to Catholicism from Methodism, I do not actually consider myself to be such. I only call myself a convert by standard English, since that is how I will be understood. But, in another sense I am a convert and still am, since I feel I am called continuously to leave aside the old things and put on the new man. I still need to be more renewed in my mind, imitating God. So, in a way I am always converting. I currently do not deny myself and take up my cross daily all that well…
But when I use the word “mission”, it has a broader scope. All the baptized share in certain things, like priest, prophet, and king. Those fall under “mission” for me. So as a “prophet”, even to other Catholics/Christians I must witness to Christ, perhaps to say what he has done for me or, more often, to *live *as a Christian. That is part of mission. God has plans for me every day. I don’t think you meant to discuss “mission” this way, given the context.
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tweetymom
Guest
Sure am glad that you are so smart to explain what I meantI think that is tweety’s way of saying “well, the Pope is wrong, and if you agree with him, you are wrong too, but God bless y’all anyhow”.
I never said or implied what you are saying,but oh well thank you for your judgement call.
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2nd_Adam
Guest
838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter."322 Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."323 With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist."324I think that is tweety’s way of saying “well, the Pope is wrong, and if you agree with him, you are wrong too, but God bless y’all anyhow”.
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2nd_Adam
Guest
This is where I believe the Catholic Church is wrong. I have no idea how the Catholic Church can say that Muslims, Hindus, Athesists, and other non-believers can be united to Christ. It seems you agree with the official Catholic teaching on non-Christians by your post. It’s not that my view is too small of God. My view is according to the revealed will of God. Christ and Him crucified is what unites us to Christ.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - Jesus
Jesus Is Equal with God
This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Authority of the Son
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
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Witnesses to Jesus**
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” - John
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2nd_Adam
Guest
Acts 11:26
…and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
The Apostles and early Christians were neither Catholic nor Protestant. They were Christians… disciples of Jesus Christ. Peter, Mary, and James were not Catholic. And Paul was not Protestant. They were simply sinners redeemned by the blood of Christ and adopted into the family of God based on what Christ did on their behalf. I find it insightful how our flesh wants to make our particular brand of Christianity superior than the next person’s brand of Christianity. Is Christ divided?
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