What does it mean to be a Catholic in Good Standing with the Church?

[Galnextdoor]

I don’t want to get into a discussion of whether a person is really Catholic or not. I want to know what makes a Catholic a Catholic in Good Standing with the Church. If a person commits a mortal sin, are they no longer in Good Standing with the Church? Does anyone officially designate someone as a Catholic not in Good Standing with the Church? Can a Catholic who is not in Good Standing with the Church receive communion because they think it’s okay to decide for themselves what issues they believe are right and wrong, i.e. they live according to their own conscience?

If a Catholic says, “You don’t have to believe what the Catholic Church teaches to be Catholic,” is it uncharitable for me or wrong for me to say that person is not in Good Standing with the Church?

Where is the line drawn between a Catholic not in Good Standing with the Church and an ex-communicated Catholic?

Sorry I have so many questions.

 

[Tomdstone]

I think if someone is excommunicated, she would not be considered to be in good standing.

 

[Richard_White]

Being a “Catholic in Good Standing” means being a baptized Catholic, believing in and adhering to all of the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church (which have all been revealed by God as Truth), being in full communion with the Holy Catholic Church and the Holy Father, the Pope, and living out God’s blessed law of Love to the best of your ability.

You cannot pick and choose the teachings you feel like believing in. Rather, we are to do everything that Our Blessed Lord God has commanded us to do and believe in everything that he has taught us through His Holy Catholic Church.

May God bless you abundantly and forever!

 

[Elizium23]

It typically means that a Catholic is obeying the Precepts of the Church.
Catechism of the Catholic Church:

II. THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:

2042 The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.82

The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year”) ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.83

The third precept (“You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season”) guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.84

2043 The fourth precept (“You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.85

The fifth precept (“You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church”) means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.86

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his own abilities.87

82 Cf. CIC, cann. 1246-1248; CCEO, cann. 881 § 1, § 2, § 4.
83 Cf. CIC, can. 989; CCEO, can. 719.
84 Cf. CIC, can. 920; CCEO, cann. 708; 881 § 3.
85 Cf. CIC, cann. 1249-1251; CCEO, can. 882.
86 Cf. CIC, can. 222; CCEO can. 25; Furthermore, episcopal conferences can establish other ecclesiastical precepts for their own territories (Cf. CIC, can. 455).
87 Cf. CIC, can. 222.

 

[marymary1975]

I think a person who is Not in good standing with the church is someone who is permanently or obstusively living in state of mortal sin. If someone commits a mortal sin but repents seeks confession and stops commiting the mortal sin (or I think at minimum makes a sincere and reasonable effort to not commit the mortal sin again) in my opinion that person is still in good standing. What would make you not in good standing is if you commit a mortal sin and you remain living in that mortal sin. Someone who is living in mortal sin cannot Go to communion so I’d say that no a person who is not in good standing cannot receive communion.

An excommunicated catholic is someone who have committed any of the actions that carry excommunication. For example a direct abortion carries excommunication. Someone that willingly commits or aids into a direct abortion is excommunicated and that person would not be in communion with the catholic church.

 

[Corki]

I don’t want to get into a discussion of whether a person is really Catholic or not. I want to know what makes a Catholic a Catholic in Good Standing with the Church. If a person commits a mortal sin, are they no longer in Good Standing with the Church? Does anyone officially designate someone as a Catholic not in Good Standing with the Church? Can a Catholic who is not in Good Standing with the Church receive communion because they think it’s okay to decide for themselves what issues they believe are right and wrong, i.e. they live according to their own conscience?

If a Catholic says, “You don’t have to believe what the Catholic Church teaches to be Catholic,” is it uncharitable for me or wrong for me to say that person is not in Good Standing with the Church?

Where is the line drawn between a Catholic not in Good Standing with the Church and an ex-communicated Catholic?

Sorry I have so many questions.

I think you may be mixing up terms - Catholic in good standing vs. Catholic in a state of grace.

A Catholic in good standing is one who is living as a Catholic. The person’s pastor should be the one to determine this but in today’s mega parishes this isn’t always the case. A Catholic in good standing is living according to his state in life - that is, if married, is married in the Church; if single, is not doing anything publically scandalous (ie living “in sin”). A Catholic in good stannding is not a dissenter. He is not contradicting Church teaching with his words or how he leads others, especially his family.

A Catholic in good standing may or may not be in a state of grace at any point in time. Committing mortal sin takes him out of the state of grace but doesn’t make him no longer a Catholic in good standing.

On the other hand, I can’t think of a situation where a Catholic not in good standing would be eligible to receive Communion.

Can a Catholic who is not in Good Standing with the Church receive communion because they think it’s okay to decide for themselves what issues they believe are right and wrong, i.e. they live according to their own conscience?

No. A Catholic who does not believe in right and wrong as defined by the Church should not present himself for Communion if he has committed a grave sin but doesn’t personally “believe” it is wrong… It’s not enough to “live according to their own conscience”. He must act according to a conscience that is well-formed according to the teachings of the Church.

 

[Galnextdoor]

It typically means that a Catholic is obeying the Precepts of the Church.

Thank you. Do you know whether a Catholic not in good standing with the church is an official designation?

Also, is there an official Catholic website that might have more on this term?

The sites I found information on do not have an imprimatur.

 

[Galnextdoor]

I think you may be mixing up terms - Catholic in good standing vs. Catholic in a state of grace.

A Catholic in good standing is one who is living as a Catholic. The person’s pastor should be the one to determine this but in today’s mega parishes this isn’t always the case. A Catholic in good standing is living according to his state in life - that is, if married, is married in the Church; if single, is not doing anything publically scandalous (ie living “in sin”). A Catholic in good stannding is not a dissenter. He is not contradicting Church teaching with his words or how he leads others, especially his family.

A Catholic in good standing may or may not be in a state of grace at any point in time. Committing mortal sin takes him out of the state of grace but doesn’t make him no longer a Catholic in good standing.

On the other hand, I can’t think of a situation where a Catholic not in good standing would be eligible to receive Communion.

No. A Catholic who does not believe in right and wrong as defined by the Church should not present himself for Communion if he has committed a grave sin but doesn’t personally “believe” it is wrong… It’s not enough to “live according to their own conscience”. He must act according to a conscience that is well-formed according to the teachings of the Church.

Thank you for your insight.

Do think it would be uncharitable to point out to a Catholic who is promoting opinions that are not in line with Church teachings that they may not be in Good Standing with the Church?

 

[Galnextdoor]

It typically means that a Catholic is obeying the Precepts of the Church.

I noticed that the quote says that these are the minimum necessary efforts, as well as, set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. I assume that includes the teachings of the church and the sacraments of the church?

 

[kozlosap]

Thank you for your insight.

Do think it would be uncharitable to point out to a Catholic who is promoting opinions that are not in line with Church teachings that they may not be in Good Standing with the Church?

You are certainly welcome to point out that certain posters (YES ME!) do not believe certain social dogmas, but theologically believe in transubstantiation and the main tenants of the faith. I’ve spoken with several priests and they, to a one, told me that they also struggle with certain aspects of the Church’s teachings and like the rest of us, they pray, but refuse to treat certain groups as second class citizens.

 

[Richard_White]

You are certainly welcome to point out that certain posters (YES ME!) do not believe certain social dogmas, but theologically believe in transubstantiation and the main tenants of the faith. I’ve spoken with several priests and they, to a one, told me that they also struggle with certain aspects of the Church’s teachings and like the rest of us, they pray, but refuse to treat certain groups as second class citizens.

No one ever said that following the Church’s teachings would cause us to treat certain groups like second class citizens. That may be what happens with certain individuals as a result of a weakened human nature, but it is not the nature of the Holy Catholic Church or Her teachings, which are from God.

May God bless you all abundantly and forever!

 

[Galnextdoor]

You are certainly welcome to point out that certain posters (YES ME!) do not believe certain social dogmas, but theologically believe in transubstantiation and the main tenants of the faith. I’ve spoken with several priests and they, to a one, told me that they also struggle with certain aspects of the Church’s teachings and like the rest of us, they pray, but refuse to treat certain groups as second class citizens.

If you are going to post, please read thread and respond to what has been posted. You are not the topic of this thread. If you change the topic of a thread, it’s called high-jacking a thread. If you have something that you would like an answer to or like to discuss, please start your own thread about it.

I am trying to understand the nuances and uses of a phrase that I have frequently heard.

 

[Elizium23]

Thank you. Do you know whether a Catholic not in good standing with the church is an official designation?

Also, is there an official Catholic website that might have more on this term?

The sites I found information on do not have an imprimatur.

I wouldn’t say it is used in any magisterial Church documents. It is widely used by dioceses and parishes to describe the requirements for, e.g., sponsors.

In 2013, Cardinal Dolan made remarks about Governor Andrew Cuomo and questions whether he was a “Catholic not in good standing”.

A good place to check for official definitions would be your own diocesan website. Mine has a section of documents on particular law.

 

[Galnextdoor]

I guess as long as you go through the motions, you are a Catholic in good standing with the church.

 

[1ke]

I guess as long as you go through the motions, you are a Catholic in good standing with the church.

Well since “Catholic in good standing” is not an actual term used by the Church, it pretty much means whatever you want it to mean, that is, nothing at all.

I am not sure how you arrived at the conclusion you did. What is it you are really wanting to know?

 

[Elizium23]

Well since “Catholic in good standing” is not an actual term used by the Church, it pretty much means whatever you want it to mean, that is, nothing at all.

I am not sure how you arrived at the conclusion you did. What is it you are really wanting to know?

Yet it is used in documents published by parishes and dioceses, so in this way it is indeed “an actual term used by the Church”; it just has no one centralized usage or definition.

 

[Galnextdoor]

Well since “Catholic in good standing” is not an actual term used by the Church, it pretty much means whatever you want it to mean, that is, nothing at all.

I am not sure how you arrived at the conclusion you did. What is it you are really wanting to know?

One of the requirements of being a godparent is that the person must be a Catholic in good standing with the Church.

I have heard this term used on religious talk shows and on Catholic websites, so I was wondering what constitutes a Catholic in good standing with the Church. Apparently, as long as you go through the motions of the precepts of the Church, you are a Catholic in good standing with the Church. Nothing says that you have to believe what the Catholic Church teaches.

 

[Elizium23]

Apparently, as long as you go through the motions of the precepts of the Church, you are a Catholic in good standing with the Church. Nothing says that you have to believe what the Catholic Church teaches.

One of the precepts is to confess serious sins at least once a year. Don’t you think that if someone dissents from teachings, that is a serious sin?

 

[Galnextdoor]

One of the precepts is to confess serious sins at least once a year. Don’t you think that if someone dissents from teachings, that is a serious sin?

I think so, but it seems that many Catholics do not. The new Archbishop of Chicago stated that a public official who was pro-abortion could go to communion, because the Eucharist has the power to convert. (This was on the World Over with Raymond Arroyo about two months ago.)

As you posted earlier, Cardinal Dolan would not say that Governor Cuomo is not a Catholic in good standing with the Church. The Governor doesn’t appear to agree with the Catholic Church teachings on many issues.