Why must inquirers of the Catholic Faith have to go through RCIA?
The younger of my two brothers has decided that he wants to come into Holy Mother Church so he is in the RCIA class at my parish. Mind you, before I say anything else, I must say this--this class is actually the best of the RCIAs in this diocese--which isn't saying very much. At least the Catechism is the text book but it is headed by the DRE who is a convert from the Methodist church. He is liberal in his views sometimes although he doesn't let them be known in the class, I hope. However, I was talking to him after class (I have been going to give support to my brother) about the Mass. He knows I am a traditionalist and that I love the tridentine rite. He for the most part didn't have a problem with me liking it but then-in answer to my question as to why many bishops do not allow the Mass and why they wouldn't want to use priests like FSSP and the Insitute of Christ the King--he stated that the reason why bishops wouldn't want to use them is because..and I quote.."the theology changed after Vatican II. That it was spirit led." I was very disturbed by what he said but then he backtracked and said that the Holy Spirit led the Church to change the emphasis of the Mass. I countered with some of the absurdities that I have seen in the Normative mass and he said that that may be going to far but he couldn't really backtracked on what he said. He stated that several priests and bishops believe the same thing. This is just the sort of thing that leads the SSPX and others to look like they were right all along. At least that is how it would look to many people. I was so disturbed by this statement that I looked at the Catechism again. It stated time and again that the Mass is a Holy Sacrifice, etc, etc. I'm still disturbed by it with knots in my stomach. I'm not happy that my brother has to go through this kind of class in order to be Catholic.
I have been taught that the Truths of the Catholic Church does not change and yet here is the very same person that I had as a teacher telling me this. I have thoughts of going even further trad but I don't know. I'm shaken though. Is what the sedevacantists, etc say are true? I have never thought so but...I don't know. I'm depressed now :(. All I want to do is give glory to God, defend Holy, Mother Church and promote the Tridentine Mass/sacraments. I believe all the truths of Holy Mother Church and I believe that they dogmas of the Church..the theology of the Church has not changed...but to say that they had..and then say "well..there is a different emphasis now" is very, very depressing to me. I feel sick now :(.
I have been taught that the Truths of the Catholic Church does not change and yet here is the very same person that I had as a teacher telling me this. I have thoughts of going even further trad but I don't know. I'm shaken though. Is what the sedevacantists, etc say are true? I have never thought so but...I don't know. I'm depressed now :(. All I want to do is give glory to God, defend Holy, Mother Church and promote the Tridentine Mass/sacraments. I believe all the truths of Holy Mother Church and I believe that they dogmas of the Church..the theology of the Church has not changed...but to say that they had..and then say "well..there is a different emphasis now" is very, very depressing to me. I feel sick now :(.
posted by Rachel | 10/19/2005 11:55:00 PM
3 Comments:
Don't let it get to you - that would be the worst thing. This is the sort of thing that causes otherwise good people to think of Schism.
However, part of the maturing process of being Catholic (universal) is learning to reconcile different views with understanding and without lacking charity. It is often the case that people (even we ourselves) have but a partial grasp of the great bredth and depth of the teachings of the Church.
For yourself, hold on to the dogma and doctrine of the regular Magisterium, and feed yourself, and your brother(s), on the writings of the Saints and Doctors of the Church.
After than, in humility, you may then lead others into a greater understanding of the Faith - including your slightly heterodox DRE.
It was ever thus...
Catholics have a small number of dogmatic truths that have to be believed in...however, how one approaches God has many cultural aspects.
The spirituality of Catholicism in the USA is closer to protestantism (stress on good works and pragmatism) whereas here in thePhilippines, it is emotional and sees God as part of an extended family, not as a distant being...
The spirituality of the Franciscans is, for example, quite different than that of the Dominicans or Jesuits...
Teaching a person may depend on where he or she is coming from...both mentally and emotionally...
As for depression: it may be spiritual, but it may have physical or psychological or biochemical componants...see a doctor...(I'm a doctor and treat women "depressed" from biochemical imbalance e.g.PMS, but also from anemia, post viral depression, poor diet etc.)
You are right, Rachel. Catholic truth does not change. But that does not mean that churchmen will not teach something at variance to that truth. You must always see them as they are: liberal. They subvert the truth of Jesus Christ, and in its place erect a new, more convenient, doctrine, usually under the pretence of "deepening" it. By the way, the priest was right about the theology changing. It's called "New Theology," and was around before Vatican II.
It's not necessary to go through RCIA. RCIA was never even approved by Rome. It just crept into usage and stayed. Take it upon yourself to teach your brother the faith, even opposing this liberal priest if necessary.
As an aside, please remember that the SSPX is in no way schismatic. Even Rome has admitted as much. It's beyond me whether to say they're position is right or not, but I do know that they are neither heretical nor schismatic.
Post a Comment
<< Home