"we should just be happy that protestants have a relationship with God?"

[UnumCorpus]

You are right in that it hurts evangelization to attack. But I am one that finds it important that wherever God leads me I can help someone have a closer more holy personal relationship with Christ and His Church. We the body are all in this together and we need to help each other be the best we can be.

To me, apologetics is to meet someone where they are in their faith journey and to help them understand how to be better at it and to understand more about it. It is all about Christ and His intimacy with us.

Yes, I agree completely. The closer we can bring each other to Christ and His Church, the better. That is why Catholics and Protestants flaming each other ultimately does more harm than good. This not only scares the other side away but it also is a bad reflection on Christianity as a whole.

 

[Abu]

slh3016 #73
So, is your position that, according to John 6:53, that any Protestant who has been a faithful, loving Christian their entire life and led a life identical to the even the most faithful, loving Catholic in their word and deed, who was baptized into Christ, who has had a repentant heart when sin occurs, etc., void of eternal life within them, because they had not partaken the Eucharist?

Why should that be the interpretation of the words of Christ? Once again, if the Holy Spirit is working in you, as acknowledged in my post #70 to your assertion, then He should be heeded as to seeking the fullness of truth which is available only in the Catholic Church established by Christ the Son of God.

Why the preoccupation with criticizing anyone who offers the fullness of truth as Christ commanded? I repeat from post #20:
**‘Now it is time to share the wisdom of St John Paul II who tackled this very problem. This quote from Blessed John Paul II in his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Reconciliatio et Paenitentia, 1984 (on Reconciliation and Penance in the mission of the Church today) is most relevant.
“Authentic dialogue, therefore, is aimed above all at the rebirth of individuals, through interior conversion and repentance, but always with profound respect for consciences and with patience and at the step-by-step pace indispensable for modern conditions.

“As the basis for this dialogue with the other Churches and Christian communities and with the other religions, and as a condition of Her credibility and effectiveness, there must be a sincere effort of permanent and renewed dialogue within the Catholic Church Herself.” (Ibid. #25)’**
tinyurl.com/3m2zv

Cannot God work in whatever way HE needs to call the faithful to Himself?

God has conclusively worked to call EVERYONE to Himself through His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, by establishing His Catholic Church on St Peter and mandating the faithful to do just that.

Why disregard Christ Himself? Isn’t it time to listen to Christ Himself: “If he refuses to hear even the Church let him be like the heathen and a publican.” (Mt 18:17).

Why the refusal to acknowledge that Christ by establishing His Church with the fullness of truth has left no one orphans?

The reality here is concerning the truths of the Catholic Church which Christ established on St Peter as His Supreme Vicar and His Apostles, sending the Holy Spirit as He promised: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:15-18) “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in My name, He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (John 14:26) “But when He comes, the Spirit of truth, He will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that He will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-15)

What people may believe has to be associated with reality. That Christ established His Church, and the priesthood at the Last Supper to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, simply means that those without a valid priesthood do not have His Body and Blood which only a valid priesthood can bring into being. Another crucial example of a need that He expects His followers to convey to the world.

 

[mdcpensive1]

Abu

It is not just saying or hearing the words of the Gospel of John that brings someone into the Church. You seem to not understand that it takes time to have the words come to a conviction and realization of the truth of them. Before you tread on me I know that it is God’s will for all to be in His Church. That is why He started His Church as the normative way to enter the Kingdom. But there have to be the proper motives of belief and the proper time for the Holy Spirit to work because otherwise, every non-Catholic who reads your post would flock to the nearest parish clamoring to get in. I believe that the Holy Spirit works on souls from many different directions considering all that has happened in their lives. To quote the X files “the truth is out there” but it is not always understood and realized. Many have to overcome a lifetime of other gospel beliefs and practices. We must have patience as the Lord does will most of us.

Marcus Grodi says this a lot in his coming home program.

 

[slh3016]

Why the preoccupation with criticizing anyone who offers the fullness of truth as Christ commanded?

I’m not criticizing anyone! I’m only pointing out, from a non-Catholic perspective, that the method of talking AT someone instead of TO someone is not an effective method of evangelizing/dialogue.

Why disregard Christ Himself? Isn’t it time to listen to Christ Himself: “If he refuses to hear even the Church let him be like the heathen and a publican.” (Mt 18:17).

Why the refusal to acknowledge that Christ by establishing His Church with the fullness of truth has left no one orphans?

The reality here is concerning the truths of the Catholic Church which Christ established on St Peter as His Supreme Vicar and His Apostles, sending the Holy Spirit as He promised: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:15-18) “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in My name, He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (John 14:26) “But when He comes, the Spirit of truth, He will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that He will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-15)

What people may believe has to be associated with reality. That Christ established His Church, and the priesthood at the Last Supper to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, simply means that those without a valid priesthood do not have His Body and Blood which only a valid priesthood can bring into being. Another crucial example of a need that He expects His followers to convey to the world.

I sincerely hope that you do not come across to the non-Catholics you encounter on a daily basis the way you do on these boards. You speak as if all non-Catholics KNOW that the Catholic Church is the the only true church and are conscientiously choosing to remain outside of it. That is simply not the case and as well-meaning as you may truly be, the way one comes across is far more important than what they actually say. That is all I have been trying to say. Browbeating does nothing to further the gospel.

And if I’m not mistaken, did not Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World not call all Catholics to "…[not] forget that evangelization is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him… Instead of seeming to impose new obligations, they should appear as people who wish to share their joy, who point to a horizon of beauty and who invite others to a delicious banquet. It is not by proselytizing that the Church grows, but “by attraction”.

As stated before, I find it very sad when Catholics and Protestants look at each other as the mission field instead of those who’ve never heard the gospel.

 

[Abu]

slh3016 #79
You speak as if all non-Catholics KNOW that the Catholic Church is the the only true church and are conscientiously choosing to remain outside of it.

False. Why would any Catholic then take the trouble to offer the fullness of truth if the attitude of a particular non-Catholic was seen as adamant? No real Catholic does that, and I certainly do not, except to refute publicly declared error,.

As stated before, I find it very sad when Catholics and Protestants look at each other as the mission field instead of those who’ve never heard the gospel.

Where do you think the evils that so abound have come from? It was the rejection of Christ’s chosen Magisterium and of the Church’s teaching that resulted in Protestant sects in the 16th century that sanctioned divorce and remarriage; the rejection of the valid priesthood to celebrate the Holy Eucharist; contraception at the Lambeth Conference of 1930. The result – separation of marriage from natural reproduction and family, the progressive diminishment of marriage through materialism, divorce, contraception, cohabitation, and homosexuality. None of this is due to Catholic doctrine.

In short the evils which have been growing are due to all who have rejected or ignored the fullness of truth regardless of whether non-Catholic, Catholic or non-religious. Any non-Christian could have little reason, or faith, to be attracted to a mishmash of beliefs if they come to know the truth. No other sect or religion has the full teaching of Christ given only to His Church – so whether it is divorce or contraception or euthanasia or polygamy, no other sect or religion has the fullness of Christ’s truth.

“It is not possible to find Jesus outside the Church”: this was Pope Francis’ message as he marked his name day, the Feast of St. George, this Tuesday celebrating Mass in the Pauline Chapel with the Cardinals present in Rome.
Emer McCarthy reports:
2013-04-23 Vatican Radio
‘And so the Church was a Mother, the Mother of more children, of many children. It became more and more of a Mother. A Mother who gives us the faith, a Mother who gives us an identity. But the Christian identity is not an identity card: Christian identity is belonging to the Church, because all of these belonged to the Church, the Mother Church. Because it is not possible to find Jesus outside the Church. The great Paul VI said: “Wanting to live with Jesus without the Church, following Jesus outside of the Church, loving Jesus without the Church is an absurd dichotomy.” And the Mother Church that gives us Jesus gives us our identity that is not only a seal, it is a belonging. Identity means belonging. This belonging to the Church is beautiful.’
news.va/en/news/pope-mass-on-feast-of-st-george-full-text

 

[slh3016]

Where do you think the evils that so abound have come from? It was the rejection of Christ’s chosen Magisterium and of the Church’s teaching that resulted in Protestant sects in the 16th century that sanctioned divorce and remarriage; the rejection of the valid priesthood to celebrate the Holy Eucharist; contraception at the Lambeth Conference of 1930. The result – separation of marriage from natural reproduction and family, the progressive diminishment of marriage through materialism, divorce, contraception, cohabitation, and homosexuality. None of this is due to Catholic doctrine.

In short the evils which have been growing are due to all who have rejected or ignored the fullness of truth regardless of whether non-Catholic, Catholic or non-religious. Any non-Christian could have little reason, or faith, to be attracted to a mishmash of beliefs if they come to know the truth. No other sect or religion has the full teaching of Christ given only to His Church – so whether it is divorce or contraception or euthanasia or polygamy, no other sect or religion has the fullness of Christ’s truth.

Wow, I could say a lot, but I have a feeling it would fall on deaf ears. Just remember, it’s not necessarily WHAT you say, but HOW you say it! Beating someone over the head saying that all the moral failures in the world are due to the rejection of the Catholic Church means absolutely nothing to most non-Catholics. You cannot guilt/browbeat someone into your point of view.

I’m not replying any further. If you wish to “evangelize” with the way you have gone about it on the numerous posts I’ve seen from you, so be it, but I highly doubt that anyone is running to the nearest Catholic parish because they’ve had such an encounter. I know that I’m certainly not.

So, in answer to the OP’s original question, I would say that yes, first and foremost, be glad that a Protestant is seeking a relationship with God. Be a friend to that person, live your life in love and humilty and joy. Make your life attractive. They will ask what you have and what the source of your joy is and then be ready to gently and humbly give them a reply. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll convert, but it will open the door. I am so thankful for the Catholics in my life who have done this very thing and who have never once made me feel as though I were outside of Christ because I go to a Protestant church.

 

[alfenner]

How strange that the specific teaching in Vatican II, *Lumen Gentium *#16 should be omitted:
“Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do His will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience – those too may achieve eternal salvation.”

The part of this teaching that I do not think applies here is “do not know…His Church”. It seems that (OP please correct me if I’m wrong) the person to whom they are speaking knows of His Church, but chooses to ignore it (and therefore not "try[ing] in their actions to do His will as they know it]).

 

[AmbroseSJ]

‘Now it is time to share the wisdom of St John Paul II who tackled this very problem. This quote from Blessed John Paul II in his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Reconciliatio et Paenitentia, 1984 (on Reconciliation and Penance in the mission of the Church today) is most relevant.
“Authentic dialogue, therefore, is aimed above all at the rebirth of individuals, through interior conversion and repentance, but always with profound respect for consciences and with patience and at the step-by-step pace indispensable for modern conditions.

Abu try understanding what you quote.

Otherwise, you may come across as peremptory, abrupt, arrogant and supercilious.

 

[Abu]

slh3016 #81
I am so thankful for the Catholics in my life….who have never once made me feel as though I were outside of Christ because I go to a Protestant church.

No real Catholic who knows what Christ’s Church teaches with regard to Protestants and follows it would imagine that a sincere Protestant does not have a relationship with Christ.

The key is whether the non-Catholic has come to know the fullness of truth, with the help of Catholics, through Christ’s Church as Christ has instituted His Church with His Magisterium.

As the Church Herself teaches in Vatican II, Lumen Gentium:
“15. The Church recognizes that in many ways she is linked with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. (14) For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They lovingly believe in God the Father Almighty and in Christ, the Son of God and Saviour. (15) They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ. They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches or ecclesiastical communities. Many of them rejoice in the episcopate, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and cultivate devotion toward the Virgin Mother of God.(16) They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. Some indeed He has strengthened to the extent of the shedding of their blood.* In all of Christ’s disciples the Spirit arouses the desire to be peacefully united, in the manner determined by Christ, as one flock under one shepherd, and He prompts them to pursue this end. (17*) Mother Church never ceases to pray, hope and work that this may come about. She exhorts her children to purification and renewal so that the sign of Christ may shine more brightly over the face of the earth**.” [My emphasis].
vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html

Christ did not institute thousands of differing sects but only one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church, with seven sacraments, including the Holy Eucharist, only available through His priesthood, which teaches, sanctifies and rules and gave the world the Sacred Scriptures.

 

[bmonk]

I do want to say that many Protestants, of all stripes and denominations, often have a knowledge of the Scriptures, of what their group teaches, and a relationship with God that puts many Catholics to shame. (Other members of those groups, of course, are not so much in touch with God or their faith.)

I would not try to take any of that from them. I would, indeed, encourage them to go further–enter the fullness of the faith, go deeper into what the Scriptures teach, come not just to a personal relationship with Jesus, but a full and intimate communion with Him. You need not give anything you have with God up, as such–come in deeper!

One of the fears, among others–such as not really knowing what the Catholic Church teaches, or understanding why we do what we do–is that the authority of the Church will be an imposition, taking away their freedom to do what they want before God. But don’t we all have such fears–that being “good” is no fun, that obeying the commandments will take away our individuality, that submitting to God may lead to God asking more of us than we want to give? How did that turn out for each of us? If we persisted, we found that we were more free for being good, not less, that our lives were more joyful and fulfilled, that we could be more ourselves the more we give of ourselves. So it is with the Church–the limits do not limit us where it matters, and set us free where it really matters.

So I am happy that “Protestants have a relationship with God.” But I’m even happier when they go deeper into that relationship in ways their communities long ago rejected.

 

[michaelhager]

You might point out that it was the early church (before protestantism) that compiled the books of the bible and for further proof that the omitted books do indeed belong, Christ often quotes scripture in the New Testament and on occasion, he quotes scripture from the books Protestants believe are not worthy of the Bible.

Michael Hager
Former Protestant
Joyful Catholic

 

[steve_b]

Anyone have anything I could add to this. He seems to really be in the “you can’t judge people that’s rude” crowd thinking that my intent is malicious

I’m just thinking out loud here. I think it’s charitable telling someone the truth, and uncharitable when we aren’t upfront with someone or won’t tell them the truth when we have that chance.

So as to the opening question,

“how to respond to someone saying we should just be happy that protestants have a relationship with God?”

The question of this person imv ignores the fact Protestantism regardless of stripe is one of The Great Heresies . So in extension, would we for example say to any heresy in history, oh at least they have a relationship with God … and leave it at that? No. That’s relativism or indifferentism on steroids, .pick your term.

But Re: that person’s question, I would ask them, define what you mean by relationship with God.

Recognizing that

• Jesus already qualified what it means to Love Him on His terms NOT our terms. And doesn’t love define relationship?
• While God loves us unconditionally, how do we love Him on His terms?

The following are all conditional statements. Meaning one must 1st meet the conditions i.e. (keep my word, keep my commandments) .

• John 14:15 if you love me keep my commandments
• John 14:23-24 If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. [24] He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard, is not mine; but the Father’ s who sent me.
• John15:10 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father’ s commandments, and do abide in his love.

So when Jesus said

Jn 6: 53 “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day;

John 17:20-23 that they may all be one…;

Matthew 18:17 And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.

You could then ask that person, are all those passages suggestions or commands?

We can’t overlook that Protestants regardless of stripe

• don’t have the Eucharist
• don’t have the sacrament of reconciliation
• aren’t willing to be guided by Our Lord’s Church, because they are “outside the Church”

So how can they meet the conditions Jesus laid out? So in extension, another question one could ask, can a heretic or schismatic, have a relationship with Jesus?

• Tit 3:10
  “As for a man who is factious ( [αἱρετικὸν (http://bibleapps.com/greek/141.htm) heretic ), after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
• Romans 16:17-20 , Galatians 5:19-21 , διχοστασίας dichostasia is in both passage selections = division / dissension / factions /sedition. The consequences of that sin if one remains in it, is heaven won’t be in their future.

Sounds like no…right? The one caveot, the wiggle room the Church gives for folks like this is ignorance, providing their ignorance is innocent. It has to be completely innocent.

Because, once a person knows, and recognizes Our Lord established His Church and His Church is the Catholic Church #[11 (http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=12112347&postcount=11) , then if one doesn’t enter it or remain in it, scripture and the Church is crystal clear, there are dire consequences for that soul. [846 (Catechism of the Catholic Church - Paragraph # 846)

Anyway, as I said, I’m just thinking outloud.

 

[aTraditionalist]

steve b:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaolen

Anyone have anything I could add to this. He seems to really be in the “you can’t judge people that’s rude” crowd thinking that my intent is malicious

I’m just thinking out loud here. I think it’s charitable telling someone the truth, and uncharitable when we aren’t upfront with someone or won’t tell them the truth when we have that chance.

So as to the opening question,

" how to respond to someone saying we should just be happy that protestants have a relationship with God?"

The question of this person imv ignores the fact Protestantism regardless of stripe is one of The Great Heresies . So in extension, would we for example say to any heresy in history, oh at least they have a relationship with God … and leave it at that? No. That’s relativism or indifferentism on steroids, .pick your term.

But Re: that person’s question, I would ask them, define what you mean by relationship with God.

Recognizing that
Jesus already qualified what it means to Love Him on His terms NOT our terms. And doesn’t love define relationship?While God loves us unconditionally, how do we love Him on His terms?The following are all conditional statements. Meaning one must 1st meet the conditions i.e. (keep my word, keep my commandments) . John 14:15 if you love me keep my commandmentsJohn 14:23-24 If any one love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. [24] He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard, is not mine; but the Father’ s who sent me.John15:10 If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father’ s commandments, and do abide in his love.So when Jesus said

Jn 6: 53 “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day;

John 17:20-23 that they may all be one…;

Matthew 18:17 And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.

You could then ask that person, are all those passages suggestions or commands?

We can’t overlook that Protestants regardless of stripe
don’t have the Eucharistdon’t have the sacrament of reconciliationaren’t willing to be guided by Our Lord’s Church, because they are "outside the Church"So how can they meet the conditions Jesus laid out? So in extension, another question one could ask, can a heretic or schismatic, have a relationship with Jesus? Tit 3:10
"As for a man who is factious ( αἱÏετικὸν heretic ), after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned."Romans 16:17-20 , Galatians 5:19-21 , διχοστασίας dichostasia is in both passage selections = division / dissension / factions /sedition. The consequences of that sin if one remains in it, is heaven won’t be in their future. Sounds like no…right? The one caveot, the wiggle room the Church gives for folks like this is ignorance, providing their ignorance is innocent. It has to be completely innocent.

Because, once a person knows, and recognizes Our Lord established His Church and His Church is the Catholic Church #11 , then if one doesn’t enter it or remain in it, scripture and the Church is crystal clear, there are dire consequences for that soul. 846

Anyway, as I said, I’m just thinking outloud.

Well said. Standing ovation on my end.

Posted from Catholic.com App for Android

 

[Darryl_B]

This is an interesting question that has so many answers because there are so many types of people.

There are the general majority of people who just want to be left alone. You have your view I’ll have mine and we’ll reach Loch Lomond together. To them the answer to this question is “Yes”. So don’t evangelize to me as it will do no good. I won’t evangelize you as it will do no good, and disagreeing is a sin, and is a prime example of lack of charity.

Then there are a group of defensive evangelists. The defensive evangelist is the Catholic on a Catholic forum. Or a protestant on a protestant forum. Generally is able to articulate their faith. To them the answer is “No”. It would be considered an erosion of the walls, and walls need to be extended in terms of land.

Then there are a group of offensive evangelists. The ones who single handedly jump on their horse and go charging in thinking they just need to open their mouth and speak and all the masses will turn to them. To them also the answer is “No”.

Then there is the group that becomes all clammy when religion or faith is raised. Then there is the group that boil when they hear something contrary to their faith. Then there is the group that use emotional blackmail to maintain a status quo.

The list can go on, but it is the interaction between each of these types that is usually the problem and it therefore makes it seem sometimes that the best answer is the wrong answer. A self-defeating situation.

I believe the correct answer to be Catholic speaking Catholic (or protestant speaking protestant). Answer is therefore “No”, I am sad, not happy.

 

[cheezey]

Thank you so much for this, slh3016. I have been flamed online by Protestants for defending Catholics and by Catholics for defending Protestants. **It is difficult to be ecumenical sometimes. **

I really wish Christians could stop attacking each other and instead focus on evangelizing those who do not know Jesus Christ.

Yes, I agree completely. The closer we can bring each other to Christ and His Church, the better. That is why Catholics and Protestants flaming each other ultimately does more harm than good. This not only scares the other side away but it also is a bad reflection on Christianity as a whole.

 

[Abu]

No real Catholic can succumb to the fantasy that it doesn’t matter what one believes and what one promotes – the charge from Christ to the real Catholic rings loud and clear in St Matthew, 28:
“All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. [19] Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”

St John Paul II reiterated in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation *Christifideles Laici *(on the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World) 1988, which detailed “the ‘Criteria of Ecclesiality’ for Lay Groups” as requiring “The responsibility of professing the Catholic faith, embracing and proclaiming the truth about Christ, the Church and humanity, in obedience to the Church’s Magisterium, as the church interprets it.” [p 79].

It is not just a “feeling”. It is a sacred trust, mandated by the Christ.

 

[Darryl_B]

No real Catholic can succumb to the fantasy that it doesn’t matter what one believes and what one promotes – the charge from Christ to the real Catholic rings loud and clear in St Matthew, 28:
“All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. [19] Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”

St John Paul II reiterated in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation *Christifideles Laici *(on the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World) 1988, which detailed “the ‘Criteria of Ecclesiality’ for Lay Groups” as requiring “The responsibility of professing the Catholic faith, embracing and proclaiming the truth about Christ, the Church and humanity, in obedience to the Church’s Magisterium, as the church interprets it.” [p 79].

It is not just a “feeling”. It is a sacred trust, mandated by the Christ.

I thank God every day that there are Catholic’s out there who will not succumb to the wishy-washy lowest denominator ecumenism that I sometimes see preached. Otherwise I would not be here to witness to the fact that those Catholic’s helped me immensely on my faith journey.

 

[Michael_Francis]

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