Unwelcoming priest

[TheOldColonel]

That sounds reasonable. But there is no harm laying out the options. Indeed, a potential convert might not know who to contact if wrongdoing is at work.

I have encountered priests in my life who discourage others from answering God’s call based simply I on their own bias about a person. I’ve actually seen people discouraged from starting RCIA because asked at the wrong time of year.

A priest I know was poorly treated when he first inquired about his vocation. Yet, he remained determined. He Applied to an American diocese and was told by one vocations director that America already had enough foreign priests. My friend was from Ireland. Finally, he went straight to the bishop and was accepted. He’s now been a priest of that diocese for over 25 years and has a glowing reputation and thriving ministry.

 

[Tulitas]

Um, it’s not my thread.

 

[tonyh12]

Yes sorry for mistake.

 

[Tulitas]

May God bless you abundantly as we approach Easter.

 

[April29]

So I grew up speaking Spanish right, and though I have no idea if this means the same thing or not, there is a phrase used in Spanish that literally translates to “ lived too much”. It implies that the person had sinned too much. I hope this isn’t what the OP means because to turn someone away for their past is not right. I really hope there is some misunderstanding going on.

 

[Isla1]

Thank you x

 

[dochawk]

there is a phrase used in Spanish that literally translates to “ lived too much”. It implies that the person had sinned too much.

Very few can sin at the level of some major saints that come to mind–such as St. Augustine.

As our prior priest said about sin when encouraging us to come to confession and saying anything that would shock him, or he hadn’t heard before: “Believe me, you’re not that good at it.”



hawk

 

[April29]

I know this is why I hope this person’a friend isn’t discouraged. I want to believe it’s all a misunderstanding

 

[7_Sorrows]

Imagine if someone had said that to
St. Augustine or Father Corapi?

 

[guanophore]

I think the priest was finding a discreet but knowing way to say “you have sinned too much”.

Unless he thought the man was asking to become a catechist, or a priest, or deacon?

 

[dochawk]

Unless he thought the man was asking to become a catechist, or a priest, or deacon?

Bringing us back to Augustine . . .

hawk

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Bringing us back to Augustine . . .

hawk

Not really. Augustine did not jump right to teaching others. People often think that they can convert and resume similar ministries instantly. If the op’s friend had sins in the sexual realm, it could very well disqualify them from any ministry ( even soup kitchens that allow minors to volunteer) because of save environment rules.

 

[dochawk]

True.

But I’ve never heard of anyone being promised any ministry if they convert.

hawk

 

[Pup7]

guanophore:

Unless he thought the man was asking to become a catechist, or a priest, or deacon?

Bringing us back to Augustine . . .

hawk

Exactly. What difference would it make how much someone has sinned in the past? I’ve certainly not been Miss Exemplary since straying from the Methodists close to 20 years ago, and I know that. I’ve got more than one story to tell at my first Confession! But that’s the point…unless you’re just unrepentant (in which case you’d not be looking at RCIA anyway, I would guess), how could you “live too much” for God, who’s CERTAINLY (and literally) seen it all?? Hopefully I’m not missing something here.

 

[guanophore]

What difference would it make how much someone has sinned in the past?

It does not, necessarily, but God has created all of us with a conscience, so that we can know His will, outside of any formal religious affiliation. When a person spends a lifetime ignoring the compass God has given them, it is concerning. It does not mean that a person cannot be ordained, but there is reason to pause and have caution.

how could you “live too much” for God,

One cannot.

That reinforces that there is more to the story.

 

[Tulitas]

I could see that someone might say "You’ve lived (poor choices lifestyle) too much… in that you don’t see things clearly, you’re not ready to truly commit to a new way of life…just because your GF so clearly wants you to…

I definitely think there is MUCH more to the story, OR big pieces he purposely left out when he related the tale to his girlfriend…