Dead Catholics

[Dave]

Mulls mentioned in his newest Debate Table thread that during the time he's been working with Campus Crusade for Christ he has seen lots of "dead" Catholics, which he has described as those who don't seem to have heard the Gospel and are apathetic. Well, one will probably find quite a few such Catholics at any given parish. However, that doesn't mean that Catholics don't know the Gospel. Rather, it's because Catholics are more compassionate than evangelical Protestants.

At a given evangelical Protestant church (I say that to distinguish them from mainline, anything-goes Protestants), you won't find many apathetic people (at least not outwardly so). However, that's because the climate of such churches is such that they're not accepting of those who don't live their faith. Evangelical Protestants will be concerned for a person just so long as they're on their way to repentance, but anyone who is backslidden and unrepentant isn't made to feel so welcome. As a result, such a person will either stop going to church altogether or switch to a much larger church where they can go unnoticed.

In all, the climate of a typical evangelical Protestant church is that of a born-again fraternity of active members.

That's not the case in the Catholic Church. In the Catholic Church, the climate is that of a family, and when the family has gatherings (Mass), EVERYONE is invited --even the black-sheep son who's an embarrassment to the rest. We Catholics hope that by being compassionate to these black sheep and making them feel welcome at Mass, the good Catholics and the lives they lead will rub off on them. You see, the good Catholics are a testimony to the apathetic Catholics. However, that can't happen if you have an atmosphere where the black sheep feels he can't come to Mass because he's not as good a Catholic as everyone else.

Thus, in a typical Catholic parish, you will find a lot more apathetic and even downright bad people than you will in the more exclusive culture of an evangelical Protestant church.

[Don John of Austria]

Well Said.

Remember the Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of Saints.

[Brother Adam]

I don't know that all evangical protestant Churches are so unaccepting of the "apathetic". But because they do not have the mass and the Blessed Sacrament is absent in their worship services, they must reach people through other means - such as friendships and alter calls. If someone continuly shows up to church but does not give in to pressure to become a Bible-Believing Christian (and I mean after years), often times will not be treated in a friendly manner.

Many non-Catholic corporate Churches are very faternal and very "clicky". If you don't fit in somewhere it can be very depressing. What is so awesome about mass is it isn't about fitting in. It isn't about feeling good about yourself. It's about you and God and meeting him in the most intimate way. So if someone shows up in blue jeans and a ragged shirt smelling like they live on the street, the ideal isn't to turn away in utter disgust (which I see so much at protestant churches) - but to nurture the person and welcome them to the Lord's family.

Edited July 27, 2004 by Brother Adam

[homeschoolmom]

I think that acceptance of "black sheep" is present at both Protestant and Catholic parishes/churches.... I don't really think one is better than the other in this regard. However, Bro. Adam mentioned "fitting in" and how difficult this can be in evangelical churches. That's true. If you're a family, there's a place for you. If you're single-- not so much. But I have yet to find a place where we "belong" in our parish. But since it's about the mass and not where you belong, it's not so important.

[cmotherofpirl]

Catholics are required to be a Mass every Sunday whether they want to be or not. Its an act if will. So if you are tired or grumpy you still must go.

Most protestant groups do not considcer it a mortal sin to miss a service, and do not think God is taking attendance.

[God Conquers]

You know what though, there may be many apathetic Catholics at mass, and it is definately good that they are there, but it would be better if we set them on fire.

It's our responsibility as their brothers and sisters to recognize who these people are at mass, and it's our rsponsibility as a parish community to alert them to the awesome call of Christ, the CHurch and the Gospel : ETERNITY!

We really do need more programs and active evangelization within our churches. This is something which those evangelical churches do very well but we do poorly or not at all.

It's time to smarten up and heed the call of our Pope, it's time for the New Evangelization, the evangelization of the baptized, our friends and neighbours.

[cmotherofpirl]

To get a Church on fire you need the priest on fire.
Pray for and encourage your priest.

[God Conquers]

Although, and onfire priest is good, a priest who may not be so exuberant in his faith is not an excuse for us to do nothing.

The Church is in an age where we can no longer hide behind the clergy. We can'[t place all Her hopes and pile all Her failures upon the men and women religious.

We are in the Age of the Laity. It is time for orthodox lay people to start being active in their faith, promoting the Gospel wherever they go.

It has to happen. We are responsible for it.

[cmotherofpirl]

No one mentioned an excuse. But the priest is the leader of his parish as the Bishop is the leader of his diocese. WE must do our part and pray that they do theirs as well. God answers prayers.

considering all the wacky ideas of the laity I am not sure I want to be a part of any "age of the laity", I am content to be a busy faithful Catholic.

[God Conquers]

This is why I used the word orthodox.

It's important to remember that we are the Church, and we have major roles and responsibilities, as faithful Catholics, to heed the commission of Christ to partake in the central action of the church: evangelization.

By age of the laity, I don't mean as policy or doctrine-makers, but as leaders in the spread of the good news.

Where formerly it was priests, brothers and sisters who were sole missionaries, it is now up to us.

[cmotherofpirl]

The religious were the formal missionaries, but never the sole missionaries. Many people are lead to the Church by fervant faithfuil laypeople.

[God Conquers]

But not enough.

Many of the most fervent catholics do not understand the need to evangelize.

[Justified Saint]

We have to remember that with anything Protestant something can be quite different from church to church. But overall their mindset is you are either in Christ or you aren't and in some cases if you aren't with Christ then beat it! I was at a Baptist camp two weeks ago and that is exactly what was said. The preacher said if you go to church, pray, or tithe because you think you have to then you might as well stay home on Sunday. But as Catholics we understand that by virtue of our baptism we are made Christians and are called to be children of God in His family even if some of us are quite ignorant of the Gospel and Christ. They are always invited to Mass even if they aren't able to partake in the Holy Sacrament.

[M.SIGGA]

[quote name='Dave' date='Jul 27 2004, 12:24 AM'] Thus, in a typical Catholic parish, you will find a lot more apathetic and even downright bad people than you will in the more exclusive culture of an evangelical Protestant church. [/quote]
you lost me here

[Dave]

[quote name='M.SIGGA' date='Jul 28 2004, 12:32 AM'] you lost me here [/quote]
How so? If that's a stupid question, I apologize -- my mind doesn't work so well at night.