Urgent: Unfaithful cathechism teacher

[Magnificat2014]

Hello,

This is my first post, so I hope I am using the right section.

I am a happy and faithful catholic woman from Italy. My boyfriend (German), also raised and practicing catholic, decided to sign up for a series of catechism classes offered in our city for young people new to the faith or willing to devote some time to learn more about the catholic teaching. This decision came after discussions we had with him showing several doubts or ignorance about the Church teachings and me defending the Church teachings, so it is also a sign of respect and love for me.
When he decided to join the classes, I thought it would be good to go through it together, since it may be a good opportunity to strengthen our faith and prepare us to defend it and share it to others, in a future family or in every situation we will be. I thought this could be a good course to go through together in preparation to Marriage.

I have now attended the first of the series of classes, during which I discovered that the teacher, an ex-nun, is not faithful to the teachings of the Church and sharing ther own point of view during the course: the Church is evil because women like her can not be priest, the cathechism is not all, the Eucharist is for all the baptized, including protestant.

I have shared the actual teachings of the Church during the class, as clearly and firmly as I could (on top of it the class is taught in German, a language in which I am a beginner…) but obviously she is in a position of authority and has a clear influence on the attendees of the course. While she acknowledged that what I said is what the Church teaches, she also always added that there are other opinions in the Church. For example, when I defended male priesthood explaining that among other reasons priests are male because Jesus was a man and they act in persona christi, she said that there are other theories according to which Jesus was both man and woman (which I would call an heresy, and an affirmation disproved by history, mere reality, and reason). I have no doubt there are other theories of all sorts: that’s usually why the Church shares a clear teaching. Similarly there for sure are theories about contraception not being sinful or abortion being justifiable… that’s why the Church clarifies her teachings about this topics, to avoid confusion among the faithful.
The course also come with written material, basically following the ccc structure, and so far the material seems orthodox (it was prepared by a nun which offered the course before). I have the full course material, but being slow to read in German, I can not be sure that the text does not contain heresies.

I am now seriously in doubt about what to do. To complain about her with my boyfriend would surely generate a reaction like ‘you are a fundamentalist, you can’t stand anyone who has an opinion different than yours’. He surely wants to finish the course, and if he keeps going I for sure want to be at least there with him, to at least defend the Church a little with my broken German. Also, I feel responsible to bring a little drop of truth in the course for the people of good will who are attending it. Without many words, I can surely try to witness the joy of being a Catholic that fills my heart and which in my experience is never found in people who fight the Church.
But I am also seriously worried that she may add doubts to my boyfriend’s existing doubts and worse, justify him in building his own faith choosing what he likes from the teachings of the Holy Church. I don’t think he will leave the Church, but I am seriously afraid he wont make progress in his faith and be stale in the comfortable net of relativism. I can surely try to find support from some priest in the Diocese, but this would probably be long term and I would need to decide how to act now…
For now I subscribed the teacher to perpetual Masses and I keep her and all the people in the course in my daily Rosary.

What do you advise? Anybody having faced similar situations? Am I worrying too much and should I just accept he will meet unfaithful Catholics and trust that I first have the responsibility to be a faithful one, closer to him? Should I just take the course as training to defend the faith and give reasons for it?

I am discouraged. Being in that class and being part of the Body of Christ feels like receiving lashes for 2 hours - so please please pray for me and for us if you can.

Help!

C.

 

[abdulmasih]

I sense that God wants to get to this woman through you. Keep being polite to her, offer a LOT of prayers for her repentance and most of all don’t let your hope die, remember it is very easy for God to turn sinners into saints. GBU

 

[rcwitness]

Magnificat2014

Hello, and welcome to the forum. I completely agree with your concerns and your genuine attempts so far. This is a challenge that you are put into for sure. Try to consider it a blessing that God has provided you with this genuine faith in order to drive out these heretical teachings. You are absolutely correct that these are dangerous and destructive ways that hurt the Catholic faith. These students in the course are young influential souls who are being complicated by personal un orthodox beliefs.

Remember to follow Jesus in all humility when going to this class. Trust that when you are not being motivated by your own pride and agenda, you are coming from God.

The Holy Spirit of Jesus is both bold and humble at the same time. I strongly recomend contacting the Pastor or a priest who can help you. But make sure he is taking it serious, or you may have to go to a higher authority. First let the priest know and then maybe write to the Bishop.

Do not carry anxieties with you. Give them to Jesus and ask for His grace to lead you. Then believe with all your heart that He hears your prayer and follow His will.

I sincerely admire your courage and sincere desire to Teach what the Church truly Teaches. You maybe are being called to teaching! Consider this a holy test, after which you will be encouraged and blessed.

I will pray for you and hope to hear how you are doing. May Jesus Christ give you comfort and take away your worries in order to serve His people.

 

[Celtic_Maiden]

Hello,

This is my first post, so I hope I am using the right section.

I am a happy and faithful catholic woman from Italy. My boyfriend (German), also raised and practicing catholic, decided to sign up for a series of catechism classes offered in our city for young people new to the faith or willing to devote some time to learn more about the catholic teaching. This decision came after discussions we had with him showing several doubts or ignorance about the Church teachings and me defending the Church teachings, so it is also a sign of respect and love for me.
When he decided to join the classes, I thought it would be good to go through it together, since it may be a good opportunity to strengthen our faith and prepare us to defend it and share it to others, in a future family or in every situation we will be. I thought this could be a good course to go through together in preparation to Marriage.

I have now attended the first of the series of classes, during which I discovered that the teacher, an ex-nun, is not faithful to the teachings of the Church and sharing ther own point of view during the course: the Church is evil because women like her can not be priest, the cathechism is not all, the Eucharist is for all the baptized, including protestant.

I have shared the actual teachings of the Church during the class, as clearly and firmly as I could (on top of it the class is taught in German, a language in which I am a beginner…) but obviously she is in a position of authority and has a clear influence on the attendees of the course. While she acknowledged that what I said is what the Church teaches, she also always added that there are other opinions in the Church. For example, when I defended male priesthood explaining that among other reasons priests are male because Jesus was a man and they act in persona christi, she said that there are other theories according to which Jesus was both man and woman (which I would call an heresy, and an affirmation disproved by history, mere reality, and reason). I have no doubt there are other theories of all sorts: that’s usually why the Church shares a clear teaching. Similarly there for sure are theories about contraception not being sinful or abortion being justifiable… that’s why the Church clarifies her teachings about this topics, to avoid confusion among the faithful.
The course also come with written material, basically following the ccc structure, and so far the material seems orthodox (it was prepared by a nun which offered the course before). I have the full course material, but being slow to read in German, I can not be sure that the text does not contain heresies.

I am now seriously in doubt about what to do. To complain about her with my boyfriend would surely generate a reaction like ‘you are a fundamentalist, you can’t stand anyone who has an opinion different than yours’. He surely wants to finish the course, and if he keeps going I for sure want to be at least there with him, to at least defend the Church a little with my broken German. Also, I feel responsible to bring a little drop of truth in the course for the people of good will who are attending it. Without many words, I can surely try to witness the joy of being a Catholic that fills my heart and which in my experience is never found in people who fight the Church.
But I am also seriously worried that she may add doubts to my boyfriend’s existing doubts and worse, justify him in building his own faith choosing what he likes from the teachings of the Holy Church. I don’t think he will leave the Church, but I am seriously afraid he wont make progress in his faith and be stale in the comfortable net of relativism. I can surely try to find support from some priest in the Diocese, but this would probably be long term and I would need to decide how to act now…
For now I subscribed the teacher to perpetual Masses and I keep her and all the people in the course in my daily Rosary.

What do you advise? Anybody having faced similar situations? Am I worrying too much and should I just accept he will meet unfaithful Catholics and trust that I first have the responsibility to be a faithful one, closer to him? Should I just take the course as training to defend the faith and give reasons for it?

I am discouraged. Being in that class and being part of the Body of Christ feels like receiving lashes for 2 hours - so please please pray for me and for us if you can.

Help!

C.

Report her to the Priest or Bishop, she is leading people astray and into Hell along with herself , if she cannot support the teachings of the Catholic Church she should not be giving instruction to anyone as she is causing them to sin - what did the Lord say about the Fig Tree, if it did not yield good fruit and so He made it wither, plus woe is the person who leads others astray it would be better if…

 

[RedFox0456]

The part that really initially struck me as just insane was the “theory that Jesus was both man and woman.” It’s just amazing what people will convince themselves to try to make their point valid.

 

[savedbygrace71]

Magnificat, find the priest associated with the program, and try to sit down with him. Your English is good, and most young people in Germany are bilingual so if he doesn’t speak Italian or English, find someone to translate for you. (my husband is also German). This is an example of the modern crazy thinking that is edging over Germany and perhaps more of Europe- where birth control is a fact of life, cohabitating for years and years before marriage etc. Church is for the eventual wedding not every week My husband is one of the few devout Catholics of his age group. It’s interesting that the class is taught by and ex-nun, rather than a nun. How and why did she leave her convent, that’s something to think about.
Prayers said.

 

[Old_Sarum]

I’m not sure, but you didn’t mention anything about these Catechism classes being conducted through a parish. Is that correct? It just seemed that way through the way you worded your post. If that is the case, she may have set herself up as a teaching authority without any permission. That is certainly something worth reporting to your parish priest.

Firstly, write a letter to the priest in charge of the area where the classes take place. Detail your concerns and list the specifics out of what she has said. Write a similar letter to the local bishop. Make sure both are aware that you have written to the other. Supplement your letter with a phone call and resend the letters if you need to. The priest may be available to meet in person. Try talking to him.

You seem switched on, and friendly enough to do something about this in a charitable way. However, for your boyfriend’s sake you might want to take classes somewhere else. If he’s a bit shaky then you don’t need this woman shaking things up even more.

 

[rcwitness]

I’m not sure, but you didn’t mention anything about these Catechism classes being conducted through a parish. Is that correct? It just seemed that way through the way you worded your post. If that is the case, she may have set herself up as a teaching authority without any permission. That is certainly something worth reporting to your parish priest.

Firstly, write a letter to the priest in charge of the area where the classes take place. Detail your concerns and list the specifics out of what she has said. Write a similar letter to the local bishop. Make sure both are aware that you have written to the other. Supplement your letter with a phone call and resend the letters if you need to. The priest may be available to meet in person. Try talking to him.

You seem switched on, and friendly enough to do something about this in a charitable way. However, for your boyfriend’s sake you might want to take classes somewhere else. If he’s a bit shaky then you don’t need this woman shaking things up even more.

Right…
If she is an ex nun, this may not be a sanctioned course.

I can appreciate trying to be among younger people, but this woman seems very secularized and trying to appeal to the worldliness of the youth, instead of Faith. Check into the RCIA program in the area. There is no commitment to Join.

 

[Magnificat2014]

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for your help and prayers! I felt very very lonely as I don’t have devout Catholic friends here, so receiving your answers is very encouraging!

Sorry for not giving more background, there are actually some important details in there too. The classes are offered through the Catholic university parish (I believe this is sort of a mission for students), where the teacher is working, in collaboration with the Catholic Church in my city. My understanding is that the material was created for other editions of the course, which are taught for the duration of a year in a close by monastery and have been offered every year. This is a shorter version of the same course lasting from now to December.
The way we heard about the course was at Mass in one of the main Churches in town, where there is a Mass offered by the Catholic University Parish every Sunday evening. We never go to that Mass, but that day the timing was convenient as it is the only Mass offered late on Sunday evening in my city. The Priest of the University Parish presided the Mass, and he had the course teacher…preach the homily (!!! :-(((). At the end of the Mass the course was presented and my boyfriend expressed interest. I mentioned to him that I was not sure if we could trust the teacher because as far as I knew the Homily can only be preached by a priest or diacon with no exception, but he said that he has seen that before and that I should not be too worried about it. I had already learned that disobedience is never isolated, so I should have probably insisted more, but I hardly could - my boyfriend signed us up that very day after mass and was very keen to go to the course.

So, now, I am doubtful whether the priest would be faithful himself. I thought I can reach out to the Pastor of the Church were this Mass was held: I don’t know him much, but I often go to daily Mass in his church, and I can probably manage to speak to him (hoping he speaks English) at the end of Mass one of these days. If he does not help I will write to the Bishop.

In the meantime, how much of my worries do you think I should share with my boyfriend? I should add that at the moment I unfortunately don’t have a spiritual director who can help me in this. I don’t think he will want to quit the course, and I don’t want to sound too rigid or judgmental towards the teacher, which I am afraid may be counterproductive…he is not seeing all these problems with her reliability as he is doubtful himself…but I am not sure I should/can hold such a big struggle from him…how can I help him best? We are also going to attend a good Marriage preparation course in Italy in November, which I am hoping can anyway counterbalance this one. But it’s very painful to see him going trough this burden of confusion… I have won some battles so far and we are happily living our relationship in chastity and choose not to cohabit before marriage…there is enough opposition for this choice in our circle of friends and society in general…I think we really don’t need more pull backs! But God’s ways are not our ways and if there is no other solution I will take this as a challenge for me and offer myself to be used by God however possible for the people in the course.

Please go wild with prayers for us…

Thanks!
C

 

[rcwitness]

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for your help and prayers! I felt very very lonely as I don’t have devout Catholic friends here, so receiving your answers is very encouraging!

You are very welcome. I’m glad you came here with your concerns. It’s not always the most possitive place for good solid answers, but your situation is not hard to recognize as problematic and for the most part this forum has great Catholics who really care and pray for other’s situation.

In the meantime, how much of my worries do you think I should share with my boyfriend? I should add that at the moment I unfortunately don’t have a spiritual director who can help me in this. I don’t think he will want to quit the course, and I don’t want to sound too rigid or judgmental towards the teacher, which I am afraid may be counterproductive…he is not seeing all these problems with her reliability as he is doubtful himself…but I am not sure I should/can hold such a big struggle from him…how can I help him best? We are also going to attend a good Marriage preparation course in Italy in November, which I am hoping can anyway counterbalance this one. But it’s very painful to see him going trough this burden of confusion… I have won some battles so far and we are happily living our relationship in chastity and choose not to cohabit before marriage…there is enough opposition for this choice in our circle of friends and society in general…I think we really don’t need more pull backs! But God’s ways are not our ways and if there is no other solution I will take this as a challenge for me and offer myself to be used by God however possible for the people in the course.

I would express to your bf that this woman is misrepresenting the faith of the Church. Don’t be overconcerned about prooving things to him. It’s better to just be plain and simple with what she is contradicting in Church Teaching. This is also a good test of your relationship with him. This is the time (dating) to be watchfull in what kind of faith he has. In order to test one another, we certainly don’t need to “set up” tests for them, as though we are God, but life provides its own tests and we see how someone faces them. This is something that is very important in a couple approaching marriage.

That said, I am not saying anything negative about your bf. I thing he is showing much willingness to walk faithfully, but you must use your judgement outside of emotions when discerning who you will spend the rest of your life with.

I am encouraged by your faith and wisdom in the things you’ve shared. You seem humble and grounded in sound faith. I believe God is with you.

Please go wild with prayers for us…

Will pray now.
Thanks!
C