Youth minister too ecumenical?

[phil8888]

Hi, it seems like almost everything the youth minister for our archdiocese is ecumenism-related. I’m on the email list and it seems every event she advertises happens either with every different denomination together and/or at a non-Catholic parish. it seems rare that she has Catholic events for Catholics. Do you think this is odd?

 

[Disciple96]

It does seem a bit odd. Well, odd as in, I would think there would be some overtly Catholic events. But not odd, as in, that seems to happen a lot these days. I do think it’s symptomatic of what often is labeled “ecumenism” but is often rather a false ecumenism.

Since I don’t know the circumstances of the diocese you’re concerned about, I can only speak in a general way. But it has been my experience that those who focus more on “ecumenism” than on Catholicism and evangelization do so from a lack of understanding of the Church’s role in the world, her view of herself in the world.

Some who work with youth are so concerned with attracting large numbers and also with not offending non-Catholics that they play down their Catholicism to the point of non-existence. And it’s not only those who work with youth.

We may draw large numbers people this way. But what do we draw them to? To Christ, Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life? To His Church? Or to a large gathering instead that resembles any number of other secular gatherings?

 

[puzzleannie]

maybe the diocese has or will give no funding to sponsor events, so the only way she can offer something is cooperatively with other denominations.

maybe she was hired on the understanding that she would work to foster ecumenical events.

I suggest you just ask her your question, you deserve an explanation, and the answer might be surprising.

 

[Disciple96]

Good point, puzzleannie. I hope the OP will take your suggestion and ask, and also post the answer here for us. I’m curious about it now. Money does play a part in these decisions, I’m sure. But that too is something that worries me. A parish I used to attend has a Catholic school attached to it…or rather, what used to be a Catholic school. They needed money and so courted non-Catholic students. And now they have virtually stopped teaching Catholicism out of fear of offending the very non-Catholic students they courted in order to save their Catholic school. Ironic, isn’t it?

 

[phil8888]

Good point, puzzleannie. I hope the OP will take your suggestion and ask, and also post the answer here for us. I’m curious about it now. Money does play a part in these decisions, I’m sure. But that too is something that worries me. A parish I used to attend has a Catholic school attached to it…or rather, what used to be a Catholic school. They needed money and so courted non-Catholic students. And now they have virtually stopped teaching Catholicism out of fear of offending the very non-Catholic students they courted in order to save their Catholic school. Ironic, isn’t it?

I’m not sure if I will contact her. I’ve known her for some time, but it seems we disagree on many issues. For example, we went to an event in another province, and she was a chaperone, and we were discussing ordination, and I said the church would not change on a male-only priesthood, because it’s part of our faith, and she was saying that things change and doctrine “develops” and she thinks they might have female priests, which is actually not possible.

Another time, we disagreed on the fact that children were receiving first communion BEFORE going to first confession. Then I said they must go to confession for any mortal sins before they can receive communion, and she said she didn’t think young people around 7 could understand venial and mortal sin.

On the previously mentioned trip, I think the topic of Adam and Eve also came up, and she sort of seemed to just downplay that completely. I think she was basically saying it is just a fairy tale and we don’t need to pay attention to it. I argued that there are essential elements that we must hold as Catholics, but I don’t think she knew what I meant much.

Anyway, since I don’t actually come into contact with her often nowadays, and I am just on her mailing list, I think I might let it go. I cannot see it being productive to bring that up at this point, since she would probably dismiss what I say anyway.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi, it seems like almost everything the youth minister for our archdiocese is ecumenism-related. I’m on the email list and it seems every event she advertises happens either with every different denomination together and/or at a non-Catholic parish. it seems rare that she has Catholic events for Catholics. Do you think this is odd?

Yes, odd, however somewhat common. Youth ministry should guide young Catholic in the Catholic Faith. There is nothing wrong with inviting other Christians and even non-Christians to become involved in social issues. There should however be a good dose of Catechesis. Even WYD’s have a solid Catholic Catechetical element to them as well as much in the way of Catholic prayer and devotions, Rosary, etc.

 

[Disciple96]

I’m not sure if I will contact her. I’ve known her for some time, but it seems we disagree on many issues. For example, we went to an event in another province, and she was a chaperone, and we were discussing ordination, and I said the church would not change on a male-only priesthood, because it’s part of our faith, and she was saying that things change and doctrine “develops” and she thinks they might have female priests, which is actually not possible.

Another time, we disagreed on the fact that children were receiving first communion BEFORE going to first confession. Then I said they must go to confession for any mortal sins before they can receive communion, and she said she didn’t think young people around 7 could understand venial and mortal sin.

On the previously mentioned trip, I think the topic of Adam and Eve also came up, and she sort of seemed to just downplay that completely. I think she was basically saying it is just a fairy tale and we don’t need to pay attention to it. I argued that there are essential elements that we must hold as Catholics, but I don’t think she knew what I meant much.

Anyway, since I don’t actually come into contact with her often nowadays, and I am just on her mailing list, I think I might let it go. I cannot see it being productive to bring that up at this point, since she would probably dismiss what I say anyway.

---

YIKES!*** Now see, this is just what I feared. She’s not ecumenical; she’s just ***not ***Catholic. And this is exactly what we do not need. We need evangelization. Catholics need to be re-evangelized and catechized and I’m pretty sure a vast number of them have never been properly catechized in the first place.

Dear Lord, send laborers into Your field, the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.

 

[Disciple96]

Yes, odd, however somewhat common. Youth ministry should guide young Catholic in the Catholic Faith. There is nothing wrong with inviting other Christians and even non-Christians to become involved in social issues. There should however be a good dose of Catechesis. Even WYD’s have a solid Catholic Catechetical element to them as well as much in the way of Catholic prayer and devotions, Rosary, etc.

I heartily agree, Br. Rich. But, sadly, there is a wide spread pandemic of absence of catechesis. A truly tremendous dose of catechesis is needed and in epic proportions! I’ve taken over the instruction of my friend who is being scandalized in her RCIA class. She’s going to keep going to class so she can receive the sacraments in the fall, but we’re studying the faith together.

Fortunately we both live very near to EWTN so we visit a theologian friend of mine there and we also get to discuss things with Fr. Mitch from time to time. That has been a marvelous help. But not everybody has this luxury and they shouldn’t have to.

I feel strongly about this…can you tell?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I heartily agree, Br. Rich. But, sadly, there is a wide spread pandemic of absence of catechesis. A truly tremendous dose of catechesis is needed and in epic proportions! I’ve taken over the instruction of my friend who is being scandalized in her RCIA class. She’s going to keep going to class so she can receive the sacraments in the fall, but we’re studying the faith together.

Fortunately we both live very near to EWTN so we visit a theologian friend of mine there and we also get to discuss things with Fr. Mitch from time to time. That has been a marvelous help. But not everybody has this luxury and they shouldn’t have to.

I feel strongly about this…can you tell?

“…but we’re studying the faith together” and that is the role of a true Sponsor. “Youth Ministry” without Catechesis should be stopped, and stopped yesterday!!

 

[Disciple96]

“…stopped yesterday!!”

Here, here, I second that motion. No more watering down or dismissing the faith. Why even bother with a youth ministry at all if not to offer real ministry, as in, ministering to God’s people. Surely anyone who works in Catholic Christian ministry and wants to leave out the Catholic Christian part of it should seek employment in some secular field. It’s high time we have some standards as to what we expect from those who catechize and those who minister. Ministry and catechizing are apostolates but that should not mean that we do not expect a level of competence from those who serve.

We reap what we sow. And we are sowing seeds of confusion and dissent. No wonder so many Catholic youth drift away from the Church. They’re looking for answers and not finding them. People who should know better are not sharing the true faith with them. Give them real food and they will hunger for more. Give them fluff and they will tire of if and seek real food elsewhere. How sad. How very tragic.