The following comes from an April 21 Aleteia article by Judy Landrieu Klein:
The entire time the discussion has ensued over divorced and remarried Catholics being admitted to Holy Communion, there have been two burning questions in my head that I’ve longed for someone to ask: What percentage of all Catholics who present themselves for communion are, objectively, in a state of grave sin? And why isn’t the Church’s leadership talking about this enormous problem, which is surely much more massive numerically than the amount of divorced and remarried people receiving communion?
Stated otherwise, how many Catholics who receive communion are actively watching porn, practicing contraception, sleeping with and/or living with their boyfriends/girlfriends, having affairs, having abortions and living in a manner that is incompatible with the moral teachings of the Church? And why has so much attention been focused on the issue of divorced and remarried Catholics while the enormous elephant in the room — the fact that statistics demonstrate that most Catholics do not follow the Church’s moral teachings — has been largely ignored? Furthermore, what’s at the root of this important problem?
I grew up Catholic in the 1960s and ’70s and was educated in Catholic schools from kindergarten through college. Like so many others of my generation, I learned little to nothing about Catholic teaching and ultimately graduated college as an agnostic — which, in retrospect, was slang for “a practicing pagan.”
Indeed, there was a serious problem with catechesis, a problem that has undergone a major course correction thanks to the pontificates of St. John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. But the deeper issue was not that I’d failed to learn the teachings and rules of the Catholic Church. The real problem was that I had not met Jesus Christ and had no relationship with him. Personally encountering Christ was and is the crux of the Christian faith, and I believe this insight is what drives Pope Francis in his tireless summons for people to encounter the tender mercy and love of God.
It sounds sloganish, but how many Catholics have failed to embrace a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? How many Catholics have been sacramentalized without being evangelized, leaving them in a state of “cultural Catholicism” wherein they take comfort in the rituals and holidays of the Church without surrendering to the life-changing, soul-transforming power of the living God?
That was certainly my story, and it took being invited to an evangelical Christian church by an ex-Catholic for that to change. How grateful I remain for that blessed day when I was clearly challenged to welcome Jesus into my heart as the Lord of my life! My life has never been the same.
I wish my experience was unique, but I’ve seen this scenario play out in the lives of numerous baptized Catholics, with a few, like me, eventually making our way back to the Catholic Church (usually due to a hunger for the Eucharist.) Many evangelical churches are filled with ex-Catholics who will tell you they left the Catholic faith because they got “religion without relationship” — in other words, because they never came to an intimate, personal relationship with God as Catholics. This is nothing short of tragic.
What would the author propose? Some sort of Communion line police force to bar the unworthy?
No, I think she proposes proper catechesis. Pronouncements from bishops and more proactive teachings from the pulpit from priests and in their conversations with parishioners might help also.
“….watching porn, practicing contraception, sleeping with and/or living with their boyfriends/girlfriends, having affairs, ..” A little hung up on sex isn’t she? I’m surprised she missed masturbation and thinking lustful thoughts.
C&H more souls fall to Hell because of sexual sins more than anything else, something you really might want to consider.
Canisius…How could you, or anyone for that matter, know that????
Uh C&H and the rest of you uninformed Catholics, take it up with Our Lady of Fatima she said it not me……
How could you possibly know that?
Fatima, Anonymous. Fatima, C&H.
Ann they can’t help it is the “spirit of Vatican 2”!!!!!! and someone please drive a stake through its heart…..!!!
Private revelations, not de fide statements
Anon… approved by the Church….but what’s really bothering you and C&H is that you want approval and affirmation of the sexual sin, that’s what really going on here. You cannot stand the fact that your perversions are not approved and never will be approved by the Church…your guilty conscience is tugging at you…
Do you understand that private revelations are not doctrine. Are not binding. Not part of Sacred Tradition, whether “approved” or not?
Well you can explain that to Christ at the judgment seat I am sure he will fully understand your mocking and dismissing the words of His Holy Mother…Your perversions are still not approved despite what you think
The revelations to the children of Fatima, by Our Blessed Mother, are all Church-approved! And St. John Paul II also made a big pilgrimage there, to place the bullet that almost killed him, in the near-fatal 1981 assassination attempt– in Our Lady’s Crown, at Fatima! The Pope believed Our Lady of Fatima saved his life, by MIRACULOUSLY re-directing that bullet, so it did not kill him! We all should listen to what Our Lady of Fatima told the world, in 1917!! There is a very good book and movie, from the 1950’s, that are both just wonderful, on Our Lady of Fatima! You can easily find both!
It’s hard to believe that while receiving 16 years of a Catholic education a student did not (could not) establish a relationship with our Lord and Savior. Catholics are so blessed with a faith that has enormous resources to make us holy: the catechism, the Bible, the sacraments, Holy Mass, Eucharist, EWTN, Catholic radio, ministries. We get out of it what we put into it.
It is also our obligation to evangelize each other. The motto of my Maryknoll school was Nobless Oblige. Lastly, judge not lest ye be judged.
How more personal a relationship can one have when one sits before Christ in the sacrament of Penance, baring the soul to Him and receiving forgiveness? How more personal a relationship can one have when one receives into one’s body and soul Jesus in the Eucharist? How more a personal relationship can one have than being in the Divine Presence before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? The spiritual relationship as well as an emotional one exists in the Catholic Church, and yes it needs to be taught.
Thanks for these beautiful and true words Father.
Fr. Perozich– I was taught, as a child, that to receive the gift of Faith— is a grace from God! If one does not have this gift, one must pray for it! And pray for others to receive it, too! It is difficult to try to converse about God, with those who have not received the Gift of Faith, because they cannot understand well, what you are trying to say! When one receives the gift of Faith, one is then on the threshold of having their life transformed by Christ– and one then will never again be the same person!
When young, as a teen-ager, I and many others in our parish, were shocked— because one of our priests announced that he had suddenly had a personal, direct experience of God, and of Christ! Prior to this deep and loving, sudden experience– he had only known God “in the books,” he said, and thought of Him as a faraway thing, that he accepted, as a child. He said he entered the priesthood, to help people– it seemed like a good thing! We all were so shocked, to see this priest go through a total conversion of life! Most of us had been blessed with deep experiences of God, Christ, and Our Lady, from an early age! Well– it’s never too late!
The divorced and remarried who engage in sexual relations are in public adultery, living outside the teachings of Jesus. It is true that many others fornicate, commit sodomy, fall in pornography, but can reconcile these failings in Penance with a purpose of amendment. Those who live in public sins or promote alternative sexual relationships publicly must first repent of their sins, make the amendment to live chastely, and then can be readmitted.
I was almost not ordained because, when asked, I shared my experience of poor preaching, teaching, and liturgy in the church. The author has a point. If the priest is living chastely, going to confession, worshiping Jesus in a personal relationship, working out his salvation, he will preach not only with his words, but with his spirit in truth and compassion, moving the hearts of his flock to conviction of Jesus’ love for them and draw them into the personal relationship with the Savior in Word, Sacrament, and Mercy.
No, mikem, I think the writer is suggesting poor catechesis for so long has taken its toll. In fact, she makes the point: “I grew up Catholic in the 1960s and ’70s and was educated in Catholic schools from kindergarten through college. Like so many others of my generation, I learned little to nothing about Catholic teaching…”
If you do what the Catholic precepts tell you to do, there will never be a problem. In other words, go to confession, go to Mass and receive communion in a state of grace, and say the rosary. A person who does this will encounter Christ. The author puts the cart before the horse. If one refuses to do these things, all they’re really doing is refusing their obedience. It’s not the Church’s fault that people fail to encounter Christ when they refuse obedience. It’s an obedience religion, get over it. “Pick up your cross and follow Me.”
Ralph..I believe that he Church generally teaches that God’s plan is not to get into a steady state of minimal grace but to strive throughout life at being better builders of the Kingdom. Some protestant denominations OTOH teach that once a person has “accepted Christ as his personal saviour” he’s “saved” and will no longer be sinful. When a fundamentalist asks me if I’m “saved” I’m tempted to answer that “St. Peter will tell me at the pearly gates.” but such flipancy would be un cheritable.
And your point is?
People, there is a simple explanation for this. In the present Lectionary we do not have the passage from 1 Corinthians 11:27 where St. Paul writes: “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.”
Put that back in the Lectionary, and priests will have the built-in occasion to talk about his at the homily. As long as the verse is not in the Lectionary, the priest will have to take the initiative to include this in his remarks.
Any honest look in the mirror shows us all to be sinners, being offered forgiveness merely for the asking. Going to communion is a humbling experience, but also an inspiring one, because I know that there are others in front and behind me who have also sinned, fallen sight of the glory of God, and seek the renewed strength that the sacraments offer.
Problem I have with articles like this one is that the author’s glass isn’t a mirror, but a glass house. And we all know the difference.
Who is ‘worthy’ of the great gift of Holy Communion? It is all God’s mercy. Saints trembled when receiving H.C. even after confessing! In the case of serious or mortal sin, REPAIR what is offending God 1st, BEFORE receiving HC. WHY? Because going to H.C. in serious sin, is very disrespectful to God. He will be offended & rightly so. Make right ‘whatever’ is wrong & receive H.C. in a state of grace. Why offend God knowingly? Why not just repent & confess? Ask for the blessing of being in God’s good graces. Ask for His mercy.
This author is mostly a theological mess, though I’m not surprised to read that she once had a position teaching at a Catholic University.
If she thinks everyone should accept Jesus as their “personal savior” at an evangelical church so that they can feel saved (note, salvation as a feeling), perhaps she has chosen the wrong religion. Yes, please, more catechesis–starting with her. As if the Church doesn’t have enough problems….
I think a lot of this can also be ascribed to a sense of entitlement , ” I am not that bad , I am a good person ” , etc. , when you consider communion lines vs the lines for the confessional that speaks volumes. Poor catechesis is also in play , do they take this sacrament seriously ?, do they know what the state of grace is ?,how to obtain it ?. A reminder of the NEED for confession is also warrented, it is available and it is free .
Many years ago, there were long lines for confessions, and now hardly anyone confesses their sins. Meanwhile, the lines for receiving Holy Communion have gotten longer. I know that many non Catholics are receiving Holy Communion. When people do confess at Christmas time, and the last time they confessed was several years ago, and there are plenty of mortal sins to be absolved, I ask if they have received Holy Communion after committing these sins, the answer is almost always in the affirmative.
May I recommend that those in the Bay Area consider making a Pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland.
You can go through the Door of Mercy and then to Confession (they have very new and friendly confessionals) between 11am and Noon, and stay for the 1210 Mass in the Cathedral.
A Very Good Experience it was for me – and I whole heartedly recommend it to all.
BTW – Even if you do not consider yourself in a sufficient State of Grace to Receive Communion, one can always go forward and Cross Your Arms and thus Receive a Blessing while bowing in Reverence to the Body & Blood.
Further -It was explained to me that If for some reason you are locked out of Confession (lines too long…) You can Still Receive…
Contd>
It was explained to me that one can still receive Communion if for some reason you were not able to make Confession (lines too long, unforeseen delays…) – So long as your Firm Intent is to Confess as soon as practicable, and of course you actually follow up on that promise.
Anyone know more about this pseudo ‘exception’?
MMcD, See what you call an ‘exception’ in CCC 1457 for details. Applies to venial sins (usually NOT mortal sins unless for a ‘grave’ reason without confessing first) and assumes the faithful is bound by an obligation to confess serious sin at least once a year.
Michael McDermott– One must always go to Confession always BEFORE going to Communion– and one must be patient! No exceptions! If one has committed a mortal sin– then, one is absolutely NOT ELIGIBLE to receive Communion, until one has gone to Confession, and done penance! I think the modern, post-Vatican II reception of a blessing, instead of Communion– is simply a modern “gimmick.” Better to kneel and pray to God in your pew, and go seek the help of a priest, AFTER Mass! I don’t think it is appropriate, for non-communicants to receive blessings, at that time. Blessings from lay Eucharistic Ministers– are useless, as they have no grace at all!
Very good idea, to make a pilgrimage to the Oakland Cathedral, during the Pope’s Year of Mercy!
I recently read an interesting commentary, by a well known Catholic writer, who discussed the current state of church attendance and adherence to rules. He opined that in the last twenty years or so people believe that everyone is going to heaven anyway, so why bother to go to Mass or Confession, or obey all the other rules of the Church. I wonder if he might be on to something?
Ya think Bob One, this is the out growth of the “spirit of Vatican 2”, but these fools who think that we are going to heaven will be in for a big surprise. Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi…. look it up
Canisius, those of us of a certain age still remember our high school Latin. I always wondered if I would ever have a chance to use it in real life, and here you are giving me that opportunity. Didn’t have to look it up, either.
Don’t remember my Latin. Very,very long time ago….please translate. Thank you!
From the Pew,, this is for you: Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi…How we pray, effects what we believe, effects how we live…….
Thank you! Very lovely because it is truth!
Of course, Bob One– in the post-Vatican II era, many Catholics grew up with no religious nor moral training– no Catechism! Very sad! It takes a great deal of religious and moral training, and daily prayer and practice of our Faith, to become holy and close to God, and prepare for Heaven! Not an easy subject! Yet, because so many Catholics today lack religious and moral training found in the Catechism — they have NO IDEA of who Christ was, or His teachings, nor what Heaven really is! IGNORANT!!
Sorry, but I forgot to type in my name, so it came out “Anonymous!” This post, above, was mine– Linda Maria’s!
Bob One– Of course, sadly, most Catholics raised after Vatican II, had no religious nor moral training, from the Catechism! Many have greatly lamented this! It is a terrible thing, to be so sadly IGNORANT!! It takes a great deal of daily religious and moral training, study, and daily practice of our Faith, to learn Christ’s teachings and hope to understand and apply them well! Then, it takes many long years, of being a good, daily practicing Catholic– to become close to God, sanctified, and prepared for Heaven! Not an easy thing to do! The goal for all Catholics, is Salvation– Heaven! A most beautiful gift! But not a simple thing!
B1, I have heard a version of the ‘everyone is going to Heaven’ talk before from the pulpit thru a worthy, usually spot on, long time Deacon. He said, everyone that died IS in Heaven. He calculated, billions & billions of people from the beginning of time. This was due to God’s mercy. The line to speak with the deacon after mass was a long one. By the time we had our turn, he was holding onto his billions & billions & would not budge. We wrote it off as, very wishful thinking. This reminds me to pray for him & the W K C writer.
So, the question is Who will go to heaven? What does the Catechism teach about that? Is the Catechism definition the same as our “idea of salvation?” What is taught from the pulpit?
I do not think many souls make it to Heaven, Bob One! A very few, such as the Saints– are very holy, purified, and sinless, while still on earth! After death, if the soul was not pure on earth, it goes to Purgatory, so it can be cleansed of sin! Later, that soul may be ready for Heaven! Better to do our “Purgatory” while still on earth, as it is easier for us! And the souls in Purgatory, are desperately in need of our constant prayers and religious devotions! Best to daily pray for them– and hope we, too, will be prayed for, after our death, too!
P.S. We also should ask for the souls in Purgatory, to pray for us! They, too, can help us– but cannot help themselves! To be a Saint, in Heaven, is a very rare thing– but the Catechism states that this is truly our final goal! And so it is! I do not mind going to Purgatory after I die, and I think that is just normal!
Bob One who will go to heaven, those who die in a State of Grace, no one in a state of unrepentant mortal sin.
The Church used to teach all the time, the importance of all Catholics to live and to die in a State of Grace! No price is too high to pay– for Christ! We are so BLESSED to have Him, as our Redeemer! All the holy Apostles, Saints, and holy martyrs, gladly endured all pain, loneliness, and suffering– and gave their entire lives, for Christ! Best to die in a State of Grace, repented of all sin– with love for Christ and His Blessed Mother, in our hearts! He will be right there, to greet us!
I offer most of the indulgences I make on earth for the Holy Souls in purgatory. The Church teaches that they will then pray for us when we die, whether they are still in purgatory or already in heaven. That is part of the Communion of Saints.
I don’t think it is realistic to expect that most of us Catholics will go straight to Heaven, after death! I, myself, am content, to take the next step– Purgatory! Only a few purified Saints are ready for Heaven, Divine Union with God! I think a good priest should tell everyone, that God loves all souls exactly the same– the Saint does not receive more of God’s Love, and the sinner does not receive less! God’s Divine Love is IMPERSONAL, and NOT HUMAN!! So– He knows best, for each of us– and His Love for me– is NO DIFFERENT– than for a very great and pure Saint, in Heaven! So– I do my best, and I am content with God, and with my future! No worries!
If I were in the Communion line, together with several great Saints– let’s say, St. Francis of Assisi, Bl. Mother Teresa, and St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower– these Catholic communicants probably would already exist in a pure and rare state of grace, in Divine Union with God, in Heaven, while still on earth– and would go straight to Heaven, probably, at death. Whereas the rest of us, might be in just a mediocre state of grace. Regardless, God loves me and everyone else, in the exact same way, as He loves the Saints– and would seek to lead me slowly and surely to Heaven, someday– exactly like those Saints! No difference! And those Saints all would tell me that, too! “Keep trying!”
I also offer the indulgence though the hands of the Blessed Mother to distribute the way she pleases (the Saint Louis de Montfort way).
Thanks for both of your posts, Anne T.! I do the same as you, regarding indulgences for the poor Holy Souls in Purgatory! LOVE St. Louis de Montfort!
That Deacon should be thrown out the ministry for good….
Actually, That deacon is now ‘on leave’. Reason’s unknown.
There is an elephant in the communion line and…also in the sanctuary! Pope Francis has noted that all of us are sinners. With respect to divorced Catholics who remarry, they deserve mercy. The priest who molested my brother and I back in the 1950’s when we served at the Altar was granted mercy and another chance…at a different parish. I think divorced Catholics who remarry deserve at least the same consideration.
What are you saying?
B, Sorry to hear about you & your brothers horrific experience as children in the church @ the hands of a bad/sick/monster priest. May God bless you both.
God’s mercy is for everyone! However, the rules of marriage are clear in (summary) CCC 1661, CCC 1665 & other parts. Maybe discussing this further with a good/holy/normal priest would help you perhaps with the (new?) annulment process should you mention this because of your own situation? God bless you always and in every way!
Christ shed His holy blood for our Salvation! He gives to us His precious Divine Life, Sanctifying Grace, in the holy Sacraments– to sanctify us and transform our lives, and prepare us all for Heaven! We must all seek to be good, devout, sincere, and mature practicing Catholics– with great love, awe, and respect for Our Lord, eager to listen to His Voice, and obey Him! What a tremendous gift He has for us! Someday, we hope to all leave Earth behind, and enter the glorious abode of Heaven, adoring God together with Christ, Our Lady, and all the Angels and Saints, eternally!!
I wonder how many priests are in the state of mortal sin when they offer Holy Mass? I am sure the sin of sacrilege is abounding these days.
So? Everyone was a sinner at the actual time of Christ, and He said, after forgiving them, to “sin no more.” The problem here is the absence of a sense of sin, and of the likely cost to you if you do sin and do not confess it. Also, the Protestant notion of a “personal” relationship with Jesus is needed because they lack the sacraments. Christ lost many adherents when he said that, to be saved, you had to “eat His body and drink His blood.” Protestants forget this, as to Catholics who babble on about the need for such a “personal” relationship. They need the Catholic Church. Too bad Francis does not believe this much.
“There was a time when people went to church, heard the truth, and wept over their sins. Today, people go to church, hear a motivational speech, and ignore their sins.”
Many Catholics today, who are civilly divorced, and then re-married either civilly or else in a different church– lack proper catechesis! Marriage is a holy Sacrament I which Our Lord is fully present! Our entire concept of Marriage is different, than everyone else’s! We do not view Marriage as merely a lifelong union of two people, a man and a woman, who are in love– marrying and establishing a household in our society, and rearing children. Instead, we view Marriage as a holy Sacrament– a pathway to Divine Love, God, for the sanctification of the souls of the married couple! Along with that, they also have many religious and moral responsibilities, as well as their other duties, of society.
Perhaps the Saturday Confession lines need to be longer, while the Sunday Communion lines need to be shorter– until many Catholics are truly prepared, to receive Holy Communion correctly! But God still loves us all, regardless! If one is not properly prepared to go to Communion, one can still kneel in the pew, devoutly asking god for His grace and guidance! And isn’t it enough– that the Pope already shortened the time period for annulments, making them also free of charge? After all of this– Catholics need good catechesis, and daily practice of the Faith!
Sorry, but I typed too fast- the word “God” should be with a capital “G,” of course, in the fifth line! We are very limited, in time and words, for these posts!
Linda you pointed out a problem. Why is it that in most churches confession is only offered on Sat. The FSSP Church that I attend offers Confession 30 minutes before every mass 7 days a week. I believe that most priests are bored with hearing confessions. I needed to attend spur of the moment at a different location and when it came time to pray the Act of Contrition the priest asked me to say a 2 line version of it and there were about 6 people waiting, sad.
Joe, it has been a Catholic custom for centuries– to go to Confession on Saturdays, to cleanse your soul of sin, and prepare for Sunday Mass! Yes, it is nice to have Confessions 30 minutes before Mass, and to have convenient times when a penitent can “run to Confession,” conveniently, at the last minute! However, not all priests are always available, for this Sacrament! But the normal custom has always been to prepare oneself correctly for Sunday Mass, by going to Confession, on Saturdays! Also yes, there is a wide range of talent among priests– so you can pick a good one, for this Sacrament, who can best help you!
From the Pew: thank you for your insightful response. I do not recall from my reading of the Gospels that Jesus went around quoting the Code of Canon Law to others.:) You’ll be pleased to know that, after all that has occurred, I am still a practicing Roman Catholic. I am not divorced but have known a few Catholics who are, sometimes through no fault of their own.
From the Pew is referencing the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), not Canon Law.
JD- I believe the CCC was widely read when Jesus was engaged in his ministry. He was and is the best catechism!
I found it refreshing to hear the words of commendation at a recent funeral that I attended: “To you, O Lord, we commend the soul of N. your servant;
in the sight of this world he/she is now dead; in your sight may he/she live for ever.
Forgive whatever sins he/she committed through human weakness
and in your goodness grant him/her everlasting peace.We ask this through Christ our Lord.R. Amen”