Can I proclaim myself Catholic, or do i have to prove myslef Catholic, and to whom?

Question

If i dont have to prove myself 'Catholic" to anyone, then whu is the Pope threeatening Mexican politicians for voting honestly even if the Pope dont like it? ((somebody answering is lying here))

I guess reading the news of the Popes recent statement in Mexico gives the appearance of arrogance. It drew me to thinking about why anyone would care about being "excommunicated". It appears to me that its a way to use shame as a tool of control.

Answer 1

if you strongly believe you are one, proclaim it by action, be an example.

Answer 2

I am confused about "proving yourself Catholic."

I agree with the responder who said you need to be baptized by a priest. Then, you receive the sacraments- Communion, Confirmation, Penance, etc.

You don't have to proclaim anything. Your actions should demonstrate/illustrate your faith.

Your faith is your personal business. You don't have to tell anyone unless you want to. Be prepared for various reactions such as "Good for you." or "So, What?"

What is the Pope saying about Mexican politicians? He came out against Catholic officials and candidates in the U.S. who are Pro-Life. The candidates have their own respective positions regardless of what the Pope says. I think the time is long gone where politicians and others follow the Pope's views on things. The Pope is reciting the Church's position on such issues as abortion and the rights of the poor.

Answer 3

First, contact the Parish Office and inform them of your desire to convert, then you will be asked why you wish to become Catholic and in general, they will talk to you to be sure you are sincere in your desire and are aware of the conditions of being Catholic.

If you continue on in the process, you'll start taking Catholic education classes, also known as RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. You will learn the history of the Church, the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church, and the proper order of celebration of Mass. During this stage, many classes have you attending Mass for only part of the time, leaving before communion, as you may not receive Eucharist until you have entered the Church.

Unless you do this, you will not actually be a Catholic, you can proclaim anything you wish, but it will be false.

Answer 4

Good question!

As a Catholic I ask myself this, especially when fellow Catholics ask the question: "Is Soandso truly Catholic?" whenever someone sins. As if Catholics never sin!

In a sense, everyone is Catholic, because the word was first used in order to differentiate the old Mosaic covenant to the new covenant that Christ was the mediator of. The old covenant applied to the nation of Israel, wheras the new covenant is universal, or katholicos (Greek), or as we know it...Catholic. Because of history and divisions, the term Catholic has lost that original meaning. It now is used to describe a Church, when in its original context, it described a covenant.

You do not have to prove yourself at all, for in reality, no one is truly worthy to be a Catholic, in the sense that we are sinners. However, if you want to make it official, all you have to do is find a good church that you feel comfortable being a part of, and join their RCIA group. Then, when you learn more about the faith, they will welcome you at the Easter Vigil service. And trust me, the Easter Vigil, is a PARTY!!!! There is nothing better to celebrate than someone who chooses to be Catholic!

Answer 5

Why would anyone care about being excommunicated?

Anyone who understands the origins and authority of the Catholic Church knows that excommunication is the worst thing possible. There is no going to another Christian church to receive the blessed sacrament or absolution from sin. There is no Mass outside the Catholic Church.

Tool of control? Sorry, no. The lawmakers that make laws against God excommunicate themselves. They set themselves against His Church. They need to repent, change their ways, and go to confession.

God bless.

Answer 6

You can't just decide you're Catholic and be Catholic. You need to join the Church officially. You can attend RCIA which it the Rite of Initiation for Adults. You then learn about the faith. You have some rites to go through before becoming Catholic at Easter Vigil.

It's worth it all though...contact your local parish for help and information.

Answer 7

Calling clergymen "Father" - isn't calling a clergyman "Father" in violation of Matthew 23:9? No, in this passage Jesus is employing a hyperbole (exaggerated literary expression) to make a factor. otherwise, St. Stephen the 1st martyr (Acts 7:2) and St. Paul may be in violation of this command (Romans 4:a million, 12, sixteen; 9:10; a million Corinthians 4:15; 10:a million). Repetitious Prayer - Is reciting an identical prayer many times returned a sin? jointly as repeating a prayer in ineffective is ineffective, repeating a prayer in faith isn't, for Jesus Christ Himself repeated prayer (Matthew 26:40 4) and the angels in Heaven constantly repeat "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which replaced into, and is, and is to return" (Revelations 4:8). "i don't pray to lifeless human beings." Catholics do not think of heaven is a "lifeless" place. Catholics have self assurance human beings in heaven are alive. (Mat 19:29, 25:40 six, Mat 10:17-22, Mk 10:30, Lk 10:25-30, Lk 18:18-30, Jn 3:15-sixteen). We see Lazarus alive by way of Abraham's area (Lk sixteen:22). And on the transfiguration we see Moses and Elijah alive beside Jesus. (Mat 17:3) There seems to be dissimilar talking in Heaven in Revelation (i.e. Rev 4:10). The Church thinks heaven is a energetic place with quite some making a music and stuff. they don't think of human beings in heaven are asserting "hi close up with the making a music will ya, i'm attempting to sleep!!!" Jesus opened the gates to Heaven. "Graves of the lifeless have been opened and that they went into city to evangelise the Gospel." (Mat 27:fifty two). Jesus mentioned "Now he's a God not of the lifeless, yet of the residing; for to him all of them are alive." (Lk 20:39-40)

Answer 8

+ Becoming Catholic +

People are initiated into the Catholic Church be reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (Communion).

+ Abortion +

Catholics believe that from the moment of conception until natural death, each human being is endowed by God with dignity and rights.

You shall not kill. (Ex 20:13; cf. Deut 5:17)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. (Jer 1:5; cf. Job 10:8-12; Ps 22:10-11)

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth. (Ps 139:15)

Early Church writings: You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish. (Didache 2, 2: SCh 248, 148; cf. Ep. Barnabae 19, 5: PG 2, 777; Ad Diognetum 5, 6: PG 2, 1173; Tertullian, Apol. 9: PL 1, 319-320)

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2270 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art5.htm#2270
Pro-Life: http://www.standupgirl.com/

+ Politicians +

Someone can be a misguided Catholic and “pro-choice.”

This is especially harmful when they are people of influence like politicians, who because of their influence may unduly direct others toward "the culture of death" instead of the "consistent ethic of life."

Politically supporting abortion is not a offense for which one can be excommunicated although a change in this rule is being discussed.

The Church law involved is Canon 915: Those who are excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' statement "Catholics in Political Life" says:

Therefore, like every Catholic generation before us, we must be guided by the words of St. Paul, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 11:27).

And continues that it is up to each Bishop in their diocese and on a case by case basis to decide whether or not to deny Holy Communion to Catholic politicians because of their public support of abortion.

Here is the complete document: http://www.usccb.org/bishops/catholicsinpoliticallife.shtml

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 9

For you to be "officially" Catholic you have to baptised by a Priest. Then you are recongnized by the Catholic church as Catholic. You can say anything you want though, you have the right to do so.

Answer 10

If you were to live your faith perfectly you would in fact be catholic However one must be taught
Going through the rights of initiation and receiving the sacraments are necessary.
this is done through the RCIA program, contact your local diocese

Answer 11

Don't worry about the bad or silly statements from others here in Yahoo.
You live your religion as you feel is correct. People are not your judge, God is your judge.