What makes a Catholic?

[Sixtus]

So if one disagrees with Church teaching, that means one is either evil or ignorant?

I think they are harsh words. Anyone can disagree but it does not mean they are either. There are some teachings about which I have difficulties. But I accept her Christ-given authority to teach and submit to that authority

, I cant say I agree with everything the Church says. Does that mean I’m not a Catholic anymore

Certainly not! It just shows that you are questioning. From that can come growth, new enlightenment and transcendance to a higher level of understanding

I’m just wondering what makes a person Catholic.

I cannot speak for anyone else, but I personally love the Church with all my heart. I cannot express in words what ‘Catholic’ means to me. It is indeed that ‘jewel of great price’. But I never lose sight of the fact that I am a sinner, much in need of her pastoral care. She is the perfect prescription for life. She is I believe the perfect psychology that harmonises our body our mind and our Spirit. That is what I think makes me Catholic.

 

[Sixtus]

She is I believe the perfect psychology that harmonises our body our mind and our Spirit.

…meant to add 'and also our social experience!

 

[Tom]

I think many must convince themselves of this to feel more comfortable with why so many leave.

Hmmm, we’re obviuosly reading different reports, my research indicates more have joined than left, by about 25% over the past 20 years.

 

[Atemi]

Hmmm, we’re obviuosly reading different reports, my research indicates more have joined than left, by about 25% over the past 20 years.

How accurate is your research?

How many Catholics are there in the world?

 

[paramedicgirl]

So you take your personal situation (misunderstanding of a particular Catholic doctrine) and apply that to everyone else?

You must have missed that Eileen said her lack on understanding of the subject forced her to research it so she could explain it to another.

For years I accepted the prohibition on artificial contraception even though I didn’t understand it. Then one day I was asked to explain it to a non-Catholic and had to research it. Then I understood it and it made sense.

 

[thomasf]

You honestly believe that?

Yes, like I said it is coming from experience. And I find that most catholics who disagree with various church teachings and/or beliefs do so because they don’t understand the teachings, where they come from, and why the church teaches it.

If you’re outside the church and don’t believe the church you do not apply.

 

[thomasf]

So if one disagrees with Church teaching, that means one is either evil or ignorant?

Not at all. But I find that people that don’t understand the teachings generally reject or disagree with the teachings out of not understanding. It doesn’t make you evil, nor ignorant. But you should inform yourself before making a decision that might affect your eternal life, one would think.

If you understand and continue to reject Church teaching, then you are a cafeteria catholic and may as well begin attending your local protestant church.

I don’t necessarily agree with this. I have and will continue to defend cafeteria catholics. Not all are bad. Some folks are just not willing to give in to the church on all things, YET. Some folks are just too anchored in the world of men, and not ready to take the journey toward God’s Kingdom. The person I am today is vastly different from who I was 5, 10 years ago. In my youth I was too anchored in the world of men and too involved in the secular world. I didn’t care about my spiritual growth or faith. And wasn’t catholic. But as I grew I cared less of the things in this world and more for my faith and relationship with God. So I came back to the church. And coming back wasn’t, and isn’t, an instant conversion and agreement. The more I learn and grow the closer I get to God, the more I agree with and follow the teachings of the church.

Being a cafeteria catholic doesn’t necessarily mean you reject the church. It often means you haven’t completely understood or absorbed the church. Some souls take more time to turn full to God. And frankly, none of us is perfect and never complete our journey to God on this earth.

Now, if you know the teachings, reject the teachings, and don’t intend to ever accept the teachings or have a closed heart to the church, I agree. You might as well be protestant.

 

[Randy_Carson]

I think many must convince themselves of this to feel more comfortable with why so many leave.

Many Catholics are ignorant of the truths of the faith and leave the Church forever - they hold it in contempt and condemn anyone who remains behind. Others leave for a time to attend so-called “bible churches” but return to the Church some time later after having learned more adequately about the Catholic faith and the history of the Church You’ve heard it before, but I’ll quote it again:

“To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant.” John Henry Newman

Many others are simply in rebellion against a doctrine or an authority that they refuse to submit to. I’m sure you have your reasons, for example.

Satan KNOWS God better than any of us and rebelled against Him anyway. Knowledge of the truth is not sufficient; there has to be a willingness to submit as well.

Hope this helps. :tiphat:

 

[eliasaph99]

I think many must convince themselves of this to feel more comfortable with why so many leave.

There are more people joining the Church than there are leaving.

 

[Stephen_C]

Not quite on topic but…“Thousands Joining Catholic Church Holy Saturday; Among Them Priest’s Father, Family of Ten”

usccb.org/comm/archives/2007/07-054.shtml

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

How accurate is your research?

How many Catholics are there in the world?

According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Church 2003 (which is the most recent edition): 1,085,557,000​

 

[itsjustdave1988]

…my research indicates more have joined than left

Some interesting statistics to consider regarding the Catholic Church of the past 100 years…

From the Catholic Encyclopedia(1909) “Statistics of Religions”, Table VIII:newadvent.org/cathen/14275a.htm

In 1909, Catholics comprised 18.7% of the world population. Non-Catholic Christians comprised 20.8% of the world population.

Ratio of Catholic/Non-Catholic Christians: 0.900

From Encyclopedia Britannica’s “Adherents of All Religions by Six Continents - Mid- 1995”: zpub.com/un/pope/relig.html

In 1995, Catholics comprised 16.9% of the world population. Non-Catholic Christians comprised 16.8% of the world population.

Ratio of Catholic/Non-Catholic Christians: 1.008

While Christianity continues to grow, it’s seems all of Christianity has dropped 5.8% as a percentage of the earth’s population in the past 100 years. In the same period, Catholicism has dropped 1.8% as a percentage of world population, while Greek/Oriental Orthodox have dropped 4.9%.

**In other words, the drop in Catholicism is significantly smaller than both Orthodoxy and non-Catholic Christianity overall. **

**The ratio of Catholic/Non-Catholic Christians has increased over the past 100 years. **

Of course, that’s the global picture. More tangible evidence at the parish level comes from the fact that our sanctuary was no longer big enough for the amount of people attending Mass, so we had to make it bigger. A blessed problem to deal with. If some are leaving the parish, then it appears that even more people are joining the parish.

 

[Atemi]

According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Church 2003 (which is the most recent edition): 1,085,557,000​

Ahhh.

Not accurate research there.

How do you suppose they determine who is in that number?

 

[Atemi]

There are more people joining the Church than there are leaving.

Does this include all Catholic infant baptisms?

And as to those “leaving,” how is that tracked exactly?

 

[thomasf]

Why does it really matter?

 

[Atemi]

Why does it really matter?

Folks are supplying “research” and statistics, so it is more than obvious to want to know how these numbers came about and who they include.

It surely matters, IMV.

And if it didn’t matter to all our Catholic friends here, they wouldn’t be posting all these stats and figures. Many have them right at hand…

 

[thomasf]

It only matters to you because you live to refute them. Which is kinda sad.

 

[Exalt]

I find it humorous how so many folks confuse “understand” with “believe”…

“Oh, you’re still Catholic if, though you disagree, still try to work out your misunderstandings” really means “Oh, you’re still Catholic if, though you disagree, still want to believe in what you don’t believe in.”

Something seems wrong there. =/

 

[Atemi]

It only matters to you because you live to refute them. Which is kinda sad.

No. It matters to me because I live to seek the truth.

I am sorry if asking these questions about what you may take for granted rubs against your sensibilities.

 

[Mannyfit75]

What makes a Catholic? To be Catholic he has to be baptized in the Trinitarian formula, and confirmed in the faith. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

A true Catholic ought to believe all doctrines and teachings of the Church concerning faith and moral.

They are not required to understand it fully and must rely on faith that these teachings come from Jesus Christ.

I must confess I do not understand all the teachings of the Catholic Church but I put my faith in the Church, which Jesus Christ built upon Peter, and this Church exist today and Pope Benedict XVI is the successor of Peter.

There are a few practicing Catholics around and many are gather here in the forum. The majority of Catholics strongly disagree with the Catholic Church teachings because they do not understand of it. They don’t know that teachings which the Church teaches is from Jesus.

Jesus speaks through his Church when teaching moral and faith issue.This is invoke in the Gospels.

“He who hears you, hears me.”

“Whatever you bind on earth will be bind in heaven, whatever you loose on earth, will be loose in heaven.”

I can go on and on. Fr. Corapi’s lecture connects the Catechism of the Catholic Church to the authority of Jesus Christ. Fr. Corapi states, "it is not the teaching of Fr. Corapi, bishop william wigen, or Pope John Paul II. It is about the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I have listened to his MP3 and it he is pretty clear what the truth is. I know my faith has been strong and Fr. Corapi’s lecture only strengthen my faith. I not sure if all Catholics will be convince if they listen these lecture will be convincing.

It would be up to the Holy Spirit to change their hearts. There is a reason why we have to be obedient to the Church.

I’ll just mention a few. In the Church, we received the Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation, we received Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, we receive absolution of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Annointing the Sick.

If we tell Catholics that Jesus is TRULY presence they will go to Church. Unfortunately, I read somewhere that only 64% of Catholic do not believe in Real Presence amongst Catholics.

I don’t know the latest stats. I think there a great need to Re-Catechize Catholics. I so desire those lost sheep of the Catholic Church to come home. Jesus misses them in Holy Communion.