My wife, children, and I are searching for a Christian Church to call home. We have attended various Protestant churches (mostly Episcopalian), but for a variety of reasons always find ourselves being pulled toward the Catholic Church.
Our concern is that we are progressive Christians. Is it possible to be progressive and Catholic?
For those of you who are progressive Catholics, how have you come to terms with some of the teachings of the church that aren't, well, modern?
Your help is greatly appreciated. Peace.
2006-07-25 18:31:41 · 9 answers · asked by Colin 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hello. I am Catholic, and I suppose you can call me progressive. I love the Catholic church very much, mostly because it matches the closest with what I believe in my heart, and seems very pure. The only thing I really don't agree with right now is that only men can be priests, bishops, or even the Pope. I just keep in mind that the Catholic church is very traditional, but the people aren't dumb, and it has evolved through the years. When my grandma was little it was a whole lot stricter back then, it's hard to believe. Now they have progressed through different ways. Such as just a few years ago they finally started to let girls be alter servers. That shows that, I think, they are understanding that your role in faith has nothing to do with what sex you are. Other than that I am very happy with all aspects of my religion. I hope there will always be the principle of chastity, and Christianity and universal love that burns so great in the hearts of many fellow Catholics. I am very proud to be a Catholic and when anyone contradicts me I really don't care because I know what I believe in is right because it's what I chose, not what someone chose for me. I hope you find a place that fits your family and yourself best. God Bless You and thank you for asking. :)
2006-07-25 18:40:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Catholic, though by no means an expert but I will try to offer my opinion as best I can. I'm not sure what you mean by some of the Church's teachings not being "modern." The Church and all her teachings are eternal and are not dependent on time, but remain true forever.
That said, it is totally normal to be unsure about certain aspects of a religion before joining it. Once you make the commitment, it is amazing how beliefs just sort of fall into place. When I first joined the Church, I didn't really know anything about it's teachings. Little by little as I learned everything, it seemed that everything that the Church believed made sense and was what I wanted to believe anyway.
Don't take my word for it though, if you have any interest in joining the Catholic Church, the best thing to do is to talk to a priest at a local church who can answer any of your questions and give you a better prospective about beliefs, doubts, etc.
Good Luck
2006-07-26 01:45:26 · answer #2 · answered by zwergel88 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey man. if you can find a progressive catholic church, good for you. I am also a christian, raised as a catholic, and I just had to leave. I could not find a catholic church that was any kind of interest to me. Now I attend a charasmatic church, and I have been walking in faith like never before. I am now a misisonary, seeing miracles, sings and wonders almost every day. I think the big thing is, whatever church you join, just get plugged in with osme ministry, and don't get too hung up on the laws, traditions, and doctorines of a denomonation.
2006-07-26 01:37:18 · answer #3 · answered by Chris K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In college (at a Jesuit university) I encountered lots of progressive Catholics; I remember, in class after class, professors and students alike spouting off against the "old fool" Ratzinger (and he was only a cardinal then!). As one who is neither progressive (I don't think) or Catholic, I learned about the Second Vatican Council for the first time. Progressive Catholics, it seems to me, look to Vatican II as the future of Catholicism - as a sign that, though the change may be slow in coming, the Church is inexorably moving toward the "modern" beliefs which you reference in your question.
And while I'm not Catholic, I appreciated the fact that the Catholic Church is big enough to incorporate such an array of viewpoints. I don't think that Christians should search for a parish or congregation that "fits" with their particular religious convictions because it doesn't follow Jesus's example of communing with people from all walks of life and because it doesn't challenge us to reflect deeply on our faith and to learn from one another. The Catholic Church is a "big tent" that has room for everybody.
But aren't there any "big tents" in your own religious traditions? I am curious as to what it is you find in Catholicism that you can't find in the Anglican Communion.
2006-07-26 03:26:40 · answer #4 · answered by jimbob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what you mean by progressive.
If you are interested in joining or just learning more about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.
You can go and ask any questions you want.
This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time.
There is no obligation to become a Catholic.
With love and prayers in Christ.
2006-07-26 01:55:11 · answer #5 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I praise God for meeting you, i was born and brought up by a catholic family, and there were nuns and priest from our family, i wasn't i used to go to church attend Holy mass every day and a alter boy, as i grew up, i wasn't practising, my faith deteriorated, the root wasn't strong. I became alcoholic, smoker, and so on, got married, i wouldn't know the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit was not in me, I become a diabetic patient, with weak nervous, but a Friend of mine guided me in to the Truth (The Word of God) which wasn't there in my life. Than as i started reading, meditating, and obeying the Word of God, as it is written the Holy Spirit, The Spirit of Truth, guided me into the Truth, and the Truth set me free, from sin, sickness and bondage,
in our catholic churches there is a slackness's for the Word of God and Holy Spirit. also disobedience to the word of God is more so,
Though there is revival now, there isn't Spirit filled worship, or prayers. I am sorry for what i have said, but this is my personal experience. Now I attend a Pentecostal church and I am longing more and more to be in HIS presence all the time of my life.May the HOLY SPIRIT guide you, in JESUS name amen.
2006-07-26 01:52:32 · answer #6 · answered by raja 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there are clearly progressive Catholics, no matter how you define "progressive." Catholics have been heavily involved in just about every social justice, liberal, progressive movement in this country since its inception.
2006-07-26 01:37:32 · answer #7 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christian morals are always relevant in any era...love god w/ all thy heart mind and soul and your neighbor as yourself, etc.
As for progressivism, I would highly recomend talking to your Catholic priest about that...I'm sure he would love to teach you about the faith and how it relates to our society. good luck.
2006-07-26 01:37:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Progressive catholicism is a myth.
2006-07-26 01:34:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋