What do I do in this situation?

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Rebekah_34

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I had a friend tell me that he only attended Mass to please his parents and doesnt believe at all. He is athiest. He claims his parents will disown him if he is not Catholic. When I asked him if he received the Eucharist, too, during Mass, he said he did, even though he did not believe at ALL.
I am in the RCIA, and cant receive the Eucharist, so this sacramental abuse is outrageous to me. How do I deal with this? I’m not of his parish, and I can’t contact his parents. He has no interest in reconciling with God either. Help! I don’t want to see this beautiful sacrament desecrated!
 
I am in the same situation except Im not in RCIA, but I was wondering the same

Prayers are with you
 
Ask him to stop receiving Communion. He can attend Mass with his parents, but stay seated during Communion.
I don’t know how much of a friend to you he is, but you can tell him that even if he doesn’t believe, you do and as much as respect in friendship goes, this would be one thing you appreciated he did for you (as I doubt he would care if it’s a sin). If he refuses, there isn’t much more to do but to pray for him.
 
Quick update
I talked to my RCIA director about this. She told me I was wrong to believe that he was abusing the Eucharist. Her reasoning is 1. He is a baptized and confirmed Catholic. 2. He doesnt believe he is in mortal sin. 3. He does not believe it is in his free will to not take the sacrament (He believes he is forced to take the Eucharist by his parents).
Therefore he fulfills ALL the requirements for receiving the Eucharist.
My Director advised me to pray, and let it go for these reasons.

This somehow still doesn’t sit well with me; he does not believe in God, the Holy Trinity, or anything Catholic at all. Does that negate my RCIA Director’s argument? Or are my feelings just getting in the way?
 
Rebekah_34 said:
Quick update
I talked to my RCIA director about this. She told me I was wrong to believe that he was abusing the Eucharist. Her reasoning is 1. He is a baptized and confirmed Catholic. 2. He doesnt believe he is in mortal sin. 3. He does not believe it is in his free will to not take the sacrament (He believes he is forced to take the Eucharist by his parents).
Therefore he fulfills ALL the requirements for receiving the Eucharist.
My Director advised me to pray, and let it go for these reasons.

This somehow still doesn’t sit well with me; he does not believe in God, the Holy Trinity, or anything Catholic at all. Does that negate my RCIA Director’s argument? Or are my feelings just getting in the way?
Click to expand...
I would talk to the Parish Priest where you are attending RCIA. Your RCIA director is not a Priest and may not be correct in this. I could be wrong, but it is always better to speak to a Priest on matters as grave as this.

blessings,
CEM
 
Rebekah_34 said:
Quick update
I talked to my RCIA director about this. She told me I was wrong to believe that he was abusing the Eucharist. Her reasoning is 1. He is a baptized and confirmed Catholic. 2. He doesnt believe he is in mortal sin. 3. He does not believe it is in his free will to not take the sacrament (He believes he is forced to take the Eucharist by his parents).
Therefore he fulfills ALL the requirements for receiving the Eucharist.
My Director advised me to pray, and let it go for these reasons.

This somehow still doesn’t sit well with me; he does not believe in God, the Holy Trinity, or anything Catholic at all. Does that negate my RCIA Director’s argument? Or are my feelings just getting in the way?
Click to expand...
The best that the DRE’s argument does is suggest that the friend is not committing mortal sin by receiving the Sacrament. In no way does it justify a confessed atheist’s reception of it.
 
It would appear, OP, that you will not leave this alone until you get the response that you want.

I believe your friend is lying although I don’t know why. It is very unlikely that his parents would disown him. They may be very upset and hurt. They may take steps to persuade him to return to the Church. But, disowning him is not a step they’re likely to take.

Think of the lies that he is trying to tell you. Seriously consider how good a friend someone like that is.

Concentrate on your own journey. Leave him to worry about his own conscience.
 
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