Weddingbee boards

I usually just comment on catholic rules... things that generally all catholics know about or things my priest told me.  When it comes to what you should do as a catholic, I can't say anything because I don't do it all.  hehe

Now, I'm thinking about it a little more and maybe I don't tell people what they should do because I myself am not a strong/ strict catholic.  Maybe if I was, I might tell someone what they should do.

It's kinda like politics.  If you are a strong republican or a strong democrat, you might argue more about it because you are so into it and so involved.

Since this is on the Catholic board I will just say that; if someone tells an answer based on Church teaching than it is that. Church teaching.  If you profess this faith; Based on Scripture and Tradition; then yes, you will get matter of fact responses.

Miss Badger - The church has no qualms with homosexuality.  It has a problem with acting upon it.  Regardless of sexual orientation, it considers an act outside of marriage that doesn't lead to the openness of having children wrong. i.e. If you can't have children (male/male; female/female), one of the 2 primary ends of the Sacrament of Marriage, then you shouldn't have "arousal."

Interestingly, it's the "younger generation of Catholics" who are pushing for a return to the "old way" which is less "liberal"

ETA: This would also include acts of sex outside marriage between hetero couples, and those using BC.

Faith is a very intense thing to each of us.  For me, I get really offended when people say that as Catholics we treat women poorly, need to embrace things our church is against, or mention things that disrespect my Lord as well as my faith. When people come on the board and say things like above about how they are "lucky to belong to a very liberal Catholic church" my heart physically BREAKS. Not because I don't like the person but because my whole heart and soul are poured into my faith in prayer and study.  When people mention on boards how they left the church because they couldn't find answers, my heart aches and wants to tell them the answer and not "we just do."  When people mention that they used to be Catholic and aren't anymore because of something that isn't even true... well, that's not any easier.  So, for me, coming onto a Catholic board and then telling me I need to be more open to the ways of the world and not my Lord... well, I find that offensive.

It's a two way street, so as was mentioned, we need to first and foremost love each other, however, within God's teachings hate "sins" and forgive those who offend.

And we can never be content in our Faith, no matter what faith we profess. We need to always work on our relationship with God just like we do with our Future Spouse.  That includes spending time together, learning about each other (scripture and other books on Church Teaching), and receiving the gifts they give us.

But you see Miss Badger, there is NO "wiggle room." You follow the church or you don't.  If you do not believe in ALL she teaches, then all who subscribe to that (including the priests) are technically schismatic or heretical. There are over 38,000 Christian denominations. ALL of which stem from the Catholic church.  All of which were started because someone found fault with something else.  We are truly blessed to be in the Church founded by Christ, and led by the Holy Spirit on the throne of Peter for 2000 years.  We will always stay true, even when the world calls us not too.  That's who we are and what we believe as Catholics.  

There are many "hard" things about being Catholic.  No, we can't have sex before marriage. No, we can't use BC.  No, women cannot be priests. Homosexuals are not allowed to engage in sexual relationships or activities...   That doesn't mean those are bad.  In fact, all the above are GOOD... But, one must grow to understand why God has called it to be that way, why the Church keeps on in her teaching of those issues, and how to embrace it and the fact that the church has been adamant about those issues since the time of Christ.

We have a church here and priest who grew more liberal under our last bishop.  He's no longer allowed to do certain things and is now under very close watch.  Yes, they still had the "eucharist" and said mass... but to put it in the words of my old housemate "The first time I went there I didn't even know it was Catholic, I thought it was Episcopalian." Ironically, it's the youth of that parish that are turning it around... and the teens are leading their parents back to the fullness of truth.

I truly do not mean to be harsh, and perhaps I actually mis-understand your church more.  But I'm truly more frightened by it now than I was before.

"there are some liberal Catholic churches and priests who do not believe all of them and are hoping that someday some will change"

@ Rebekah - Thanks.  In the Cathoiic Faith, we follow Scripture and Tradition.  Not (t)radition like what a family does for Christmas, but (T)radition as in Sacred Tradition.  Tradition is the [originally] unwritten deposit of faith, orally given to the Apostles who were commanded to keep pure its tenets and practices. Before Magisterium and Scripture there was Tradition, to which the other two are necessarily and intrinsically linked.  You're right, churches will conform to the personal beliefs of an individual, which is why, as Catholics, we must look to Rome.  Not hollywood, human courts, or man's "personal" beliefs.  I've attended mass in 15 countries.  Every mass is the same, reads the same readings (if you attend daily you'll read and hear preaching on the entire bible over 3 years), but the preachings are obviously different.  It's the priests responsibility and oath to Shepherd his parish under Scripture and Tradition and remain faithful to Rome.

And, as Jacqi put, the church will investigate and change what need to be, within it's Power.  For instance, the current stance is that women can't be Priests.  This was investigated and then addressed by JPII in 94. "We declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful." Ordinatio Sacerdotalis was not issued under the "extraordinary papal magisterium" as an "ex cathedra" statement, and so is not considered infallible in itself.  It's contents are, however, considered infallible under the ordinary magisterium, as this doctrine has been held consistently by the Church.  It can be confusing so in another sense, yes, one must always study and seek understanding of Christ and His ways... including things that we may not "feel" to be consistent with ways of the world or other denominations.  I could go into womans role with the church, how we're not being trampled upon, and how beautiful and important our roles are, but that goes WAY off topic ;-)

I don't think I said we are not to question our Priests.... Priests, and all humans are not infallible.  BUT, we believe the Pope, when speaking "ex cathedra" is infallible in matters of faith and morals.  It's a common misconception with our Pope as well.  He CAN be wrong and he probably goes to confession more than I do! However, we believe that on the "Throne of Peter" he is guided by the Holy Spirit and is thus infallible.  Not the man, but Spirit. So... that's where the "faith" comes in ;-)

That was a really long explanation... lol. sorry.

This is however, also an explanation as to why... while not the "popular" opinion, one must really not get too upset when someone says something on the Catholic board that is just a matter of fact church teaching.  I agree that sometimes delivery is wrong, that's the downside of "boards and online communities."  Tone can not be detected.  So while, someone may very lovingly try and show you the beauty of abstaining from sex before your marriage... it may come out "blah blah blah blah, your stupid." in text ;-)

One should never be disrespected - we - as Christians are all called to love one another and all humans deserve dignity.  But, when we're on a Caholic board... and there is the Churches Teachings, Magisterium, and Scripture (in no particular order) you are going to get specific may not feel good answers, as that's what our church has proclaimed for 2000 years.

@bridepower: I hear you.  I notice that tone on posts re: sex before marriage, living together before marriage, etc.

I'm a Catholic myself, but obviously a very liberal one.  I'm feminist, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, take birth control, etc. and have lived with my FI for over 5 years.  But I do belong to the Catholic church, was raised in it and will raise my children in it.   Obviously my faith/dedication/however you will phrase it, is not on the same "level" (for lack of a better word) of other bees.  I agree with PPs that I would seek out a more "liberal" church and I do hope for the Church's view on BC, gay relationships, etc. to change in the future.