Who is a Catholic? - Page 2

snarflemike · #16 May 13, '12, 3:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prodigal Son1

I wanted to clarify this point further.

The same as the Church defines teachings, and doctrines, only the Church can say someone is no longer Catholic. As far as I know, the Church refuses someone communion, but does not say that person is no longer a Catholic.

I agree that saying so-and-so is not Catholic is of course not ours to say. People should be more precise and say, rather, that such-and-such view is not Catholic teaching, or that it directly contradicts Catholic teaching. But they had better know what the Church teaches before making such a claim.

**Prodigal Son1** · #17 May 13, '12, 3:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by snarflemike

I didn't notice that anybody was talking about teachings not promulgated by the Church. If that is what's under discussion, than I agree that we cannot say X is or is not Church teaching unless the Church actually teaches X or teaches against X.

There are also those issues that fall to prudence, such as the issue of the death penalty, and when the Church allows room for different understandings, we should of course allow room as well.

So perhaps we were agreeing all the time.

I think we are agreeing, but I was being clumsy about how I explained it.

We can tell others what the Church teaches, but we do not have the authority to tell someone they are not Catholic, even if they are going against a Church teaching. Like I explained above, the Church does not make such a declaration.

**Prodigal Son1** · #18 May 13, '12, 3:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by snarflemike

I agree that saying so-and-so is not Catholic is of course not ours to say. People should be more precise and say, rather, that such-and-such view is not Catholic teaching, or that it directly contradicts Catholic teaching. But they had better know what the Church teaches before making such a claim.

snarflemike · #19 May 13, '12, 3:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prodigal Son1

We can tell others what the Church teaches, but we do not have the authority to tell someone they are not Catholic, even if they are going against a Church teaching. Like I explained above, the Church does not make such a declaration.

Total agreement.

DavidFilmer · #20 May 13, '12, 8:11 pm

For what it's worth, I have been on these forums for MANY years and I have never observed the type of comment you mention. Not even once - and I am quite sure about that (mainly because I would have challenged the comment, using the 100% complete and accurate description that Holly3278 provided in post #3.

StevenFrancis · #21 May 13, '12, 10:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrift

I have been bothered for some time by posters who tell other posters your not Catholic and don't call yourself Catholic. Now this might not be an exact quote but the gist is there.

I get frustrated to with those who present their thoughts as if it were Catholic belief. Most times they ignore authentic Catholic Teaching. I don't mean those here who present it but actual documents of the Church. I understand that there are those here who come to learn about Catholic belief and it is maddening to see false statements about our Church from those who are Catholic.

I don't think it is wise to tell those posters you should not identify yourself as Catholic. I grieve when I see it. I grieve when I see posters change their identification because of this.

I have been following a poster who not only changed the ID but religion as well. That poster though has returned to attending a Catholic Church but still does not espouse Catholic teaching. No longer posting here we no longer have the ability to give the true teaching and that poster no longer is exposed to true Catholic thought.

We can't help those with doubts if we say you aren't Catholic.

There is the problem of misleading others but cant' we do that while not endangering the faith?

There are those who don't believe that Catholics can support the death penalty and those who believe they can. Neither group should be labeled as not being Catholic. We should listen and educate not condemn.

This is not intended as a criticism but a plea not to endanger others progress to God.

I would hope that those who have changed the classification from Catholic to change it back.
The poster I mentioned who left the Church for awhile influenced me to change my ID but I later realized that I shouldn't let anyone dissuade me from being Catholic. No one has the right to say you are not Catholic. They do have the right to point out why it isn't or may not be Catholic thought.

I wish to add that those who have called others not Catholic are among the ones who I search out their post because they are knowledgeable in the Faith.

You are correct in your assessment here, using the example of the death penalty, but have you really seen "you're not a real Catholic" posts over the stances regarding the death penalty? I'm not sure I've come across that one yet.

I do agree, that we should always try to be charitable, and find a way to express the importance of magesterium in the formation and understanding of Catholicism, and we should never be name calling, or try to be intentionally off-putting. I haven't seen much of this, but I certainly won't deny that the more seldom seen, the better.

May God bless,

Steven