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I was raised Catholic, have been Catholic my whole life (female, 68 years old) and I love my parish church and all of the wonderful people who are members.
For the most part, I follow the Catholic Church's teachings but there are some details that I simply don't agree with and probably never will. Some issues don’t even affect me but others do.
I have been reading a lot of questions on Facebook, and I am wondering if being Catholic is an "all—or—nothing" type of thing?
Do I have to follow absolutely everything even if deep down in my heart I disagree with the Church?
Thank you for your time.
Tracey
{
Is being Catholic an "all-or-nothing" type of thing; do I have to follow, even if my heart disagrees? }
Sorry it took a while to get back to you. At times we have been bombed with questions.
Mike
The question of commitment to the Catholic faith, particularly in relation to personal disagreements with certain teachings, is a nuanced one. The Catholic Church recognizes that faith is a journey, and individuals may grapple with various aspects of doctrine and practice throughout their lives.
Here are several key points to consider regarding this matter:
Understanding Membership in the Church.
Nature of Belonging: The Catholic Church teaches that all human beings are called to the unity of the People of God, which includes the faithful, those who believe in Christ, and all of humanity. This indicates that there are varying degrees of belonging and connection to the Church, and not all individuals are fully incorporated in the same way. (1, 2)
Incorporation and Communion: Fully incorporated members of the Church are those who:
participate in the sacraments
adhere to the teachings of the Magisterium, and
are in communion with the Church's governance.
However, the Church also acknowledges that baptized individuals who do not enjoy full communion still have a certain, albeit imperfect, connection to the Church (1, 3).
The Role of Conscience.
Importance of Conscience: The Church teaches that individuals must follow their conscience, which is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act. It is essential for Catholics to form their consciences in accordance with Church teachings, but it is also recognized that individuals may struggle with certain doctrines. (4)
Disagreement with Teachings: It is not uncommon for Catholics to experience internal conflict regarding specific teachings. The Church encourages dialogue and understanding, suggesting that individuals engage in free research and reflection to better understand their faith and the reasons behind certain teachings. (5)
Commitment to Faith.
All-or-Nothing Perspective: The notion of being Catholic as an "all-or-nothing" commitment can be misleading. While the Church calls for adherence to its teachings, it also recognizes the complexities of individual faith journeys. The Catechism emphasizes that no human activity can be separated from God's dominion, and thus, a Christian conscience should guide all actions. (4, 6)
Living the Faith: Catholics are encouraged to live out their faith authentically, which may involve wrestling with certain teachings. The Church does not expect blind adherence but rather a sincere effort to understand and integrate faith into personal life. (7)
Conclusion.
In summary, being Catholic does not necessitate absolute agreement with every teaching, especially when individuals are sincerely seeking to understand their faith. The Church values the journey of faith, which includes questioning and grappling with beliefs. It is essential for individuals to engage with their faith community, seek guidance, and continue to form their consciences in light of Church teachings while recognizing their unique experiences and struggles.
Ultimately, the commitment to being Catholic is about striving for a relationship with God and living out the Gospel in daily life, even amidst disagreements.
All human beings in various ways belong to or are ordered to the Catholic unity of the people of God. Fully incorporated into the Catholic Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, are joined to the Church by the bonds of the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government and communion. The baptized who do not enjoy full Catholic unity are in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church.
836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God's grace to salvation." (Lumen Gentium 13)
CCC 818
Article 9 I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.
Paragraph 3. The Church Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
.
.
818 "However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers . . . . All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church."
"distinguish carefully between the rights and the duties which they have as belonging to the Church and those which fall to them as members of the human society. They will strive to unite the two harmoniously, remembering that in every temporal affair they are to be guided by a Christian conscience, since no human activity, even of the temporal order, can be withdrawn from God's dominion."
868 The Church is catholic: she proclaims the fullness of the faith. She bears in herself and administers the totality of the means of salvation. She is sent out to all peoples. She speaks to all men. She encompasses all times. She is "missionary of her very nature." (Ad gentes 2)
23 The Catechism emphasizes the exposition of doctrine. It seeks to help deepen understanding of faith. In this way it is oriented towards the maturing of that faith, its putting down roots in personal life, and its shining forth in personal conduct.
Thank you for all of the information, this is pretty much the way I have always felt that the Church sees things and I appreciate your insight.
Since I have retired, I have been reading a lot. Among other Catholic information, I have read the New Testament, Old Testament, and I am starting to read the Catholic Catechism.
I also read a lot of "Ask a Catholic priest" sites. Their advice seems to always be that, if you do anything directly against the teachings of the Church, you can not receive Communion until you have gone to Confession and repented.
For example, if I attend a wedding that is a second marriage, I cannot receive Communion unless I confess it but, the thing is, I am not sorry. I want to follow the Church as much as possible as most of the teachings are wonderful and make so much sense but occasionally I just think they are wrong.
Again, thank you for your help with all of this.
Tracey
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