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Hi, Cajun2core —
Thanks for your question.
I am the RCIA Coordinator in our Parish so let me
take a crack at your question.
You have a twofold issue. One is doctrinal, one is
pastoral. The Church's moral teaching about:
- artificial
contraception, or
- it's sacramental theology about
Holy Orders
are as infallible as the Church's
dogma's about the Divinity of Christ.
They are binding
on the faithful. Period, end of story, exclamation
point!
These are not matters of practice or discipline.
They are matters of faith and morals.
That said, I would be careful as to how you handle
the situation when dealing with an RCIA candidate.
Candidates are on a journey. They need to be encouraged
to ask questions so their faith can seek understanding.
We've somewhat adopted a mentality that candidates
join RCIA in September with the goal of being confirmed
on Easter Vigil. We've made it a one size fits
all program. Some people could be ready in two months,
others can take five years, but at no time in the
process should we discourage them from continuing
their journey.
In a case that you describe, I
would:
- encourage them to study further
- give them
the documents pertaining to their objection, and
- most importantly make sure your RCIA program has
a session which covers the Church's Teaching authority.
I would also stress the difference between:
- obstinately
professing a position contrary to the Church, and
- having a private doubt based on a lack of understanding
The former is formal heresy, the latter is not.
The candidate needs to, at least, arrive at the
point where they can accept that they, as individuals,
don't have all the answers and they need to
trust that Jesus Christ leads the Church in matter
of faith and morals.
That doesn't mean that on an emotional level
they have to agree to every point of doctrine, but
they have to accept it. It
doesn't mean they have to like it but they have to
have an open heart to the truth.
John
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