Selective Catholicism and the McCanns.. Can I join their sect?

Question

Sounds pretty great to me.. being able to pick & choose those aspect of the faith which most appeal to me [ problem is that I'm an atheist.. guess that won't matter either! ]
Ok so here we have it:

a) They are "devout Catholics" yet chose to have IVF to conceive all of their children, despite the fact that this is against the Canons of the Catholic faith...

b) They are now consulting psychics... Wait a minute let me quickly consult Paragraphs 2115-2117 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

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2115
God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility.

2116
All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honour, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.
...........
2117
All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others—even if this were for the sake of restoring their health—are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons…..

Spiritualism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.

Ok so my next question is how the hell can I join up and can I make a buck or two from becoming a member of this sect??

"Peter O" But the problem is that they are the people proclaiming themselves to be "devout Catholics"..so if they want to put that information out there they should expect criticism if they do not adhere to the tenets of Catholicism.

Answer 1

And Gerry never mentions going to confession in his daily blog.

Answer 2

Let me start by saying that I was raised Catholic but was never what anyone would consider to be "devout". In fact, I was so "rebellious" (the words of my catechism instructor, an old nun)/"curious/questioning" (the words of the priest who eventually confirmed me), I wasn't confirmed until I was 13!

What is the measure of devotion? Going to Mass five times a week? Visiting holy shrines? My dear father who rarely went to Mass, cursed prolifically, divorced his first wife (they married at 19 and the divorce was a mutual decision) and married his second in a civil ceremony was otherwise what I'd call a devout Catholic. The man tithed every week from the time he was able until his death. He did lots of good deed for the Church on a voluntary basis, including delivering food to a leper colony. He crossed himself every time he passed by a Catholic church in his car (no exaggeration, and he seemed to know, either instinctively or through research, where they all were). When we visited cathedrals and chapels as tourists, he was very pious and I had to wear a veil when accompanying him (which I hated and protested fiercely).

Some people think the Church is always right, but most of us are "selective Catholics" because we cannot reconcile some parts of a catechism which has existed largely for 1400 years with modern realities. The RC Church can, and sometimes does, deny a child a Catholic christening and burial in a Catholic cemetary because the child's parents were married in a civil ceremony and not in a Catholic church. The RC Church would deny a child dying of leukemia the chance of a cure through stem cell therapy. The RC Church would force a 12-year-old victim of rape or incest to carry a baby to term. The RC Church curses a woman who divorces an abusive husband. And the RC Church would deny a childless couple the chance to have children of their own through IVF treatment.

If you're one of those people who thinks the RC catechism is always right, then that is your business. But remember this: Jesus Christ didn't write the RC catechism, and most of us think that he would frown on certain parts of it.

Finally, I don't think the McCanns ever called themselves "devout Catholics". That is purely an invention of the British press to sell newspapers. I have it on good authority that the trip to Rome was not the McCanns' idea. It was devised by a stringer for News of the World, who had the whole trip organised before even pitching it to the McCanns. And the way it was pitched to them was that it would raise Maddie's profile at a time when the investigation into her disappearance was going nowhere.

Answer 3

I do not know of the McCann's selectiveness. But ...

Cafeteria style dining means to pick and choose what food to take from a cafeteria line.

The term "Cafeteria Christians" refers to people who view Christianity like a cafeteria where one picks and chooses only those beliefs that appeal to them and reject a genuine interpretation of Christian doctrine and the teachings of Jesus.

The term "Cafeteria Catholics" is similar. It is used to describe people who dissent from certain teachings of the Catholic Church while maintaining an outward identity as Catholics.

In Los Angeles in 1987, Pope John Paul II said: "It has to be noted that there is a tendency on the part of some Catholics to be selective in their adherence to the Church's moral teaching. It is sometimes claimed that dissent from the magisterium is totally compatible with being a "good Catholic," and poses no obstacle to the reception of the Sacraments. This is a grave error that challenges the teaching of the Bishops in the United States and elsewhere."

Heresy is the obstinate denial after Baptism of a truth which must be believed with with divine and Catholic faith.

"Cafeteria Catholics" in denial of certain truths are in danger of committing heresy.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

This is why I choose not to follow any religion. I have friends who propose to be strong Christnitans yet think nothing of whoring it up at the weekend and sleeping with randoms. The last time I checked fornication is a sin. Their answer? God forgives all. Well why do something you know your goingto have to ask for forgivness for?

People pick and choose which bits suit them

Answer 5

I am a catholic and I think it is very wrong what they are doing. I mean all the publicity when they daughter is still missing. Another parent in that situation would crack up. They seem to loving all the attention. And who is paying for all this? I bet they are not.

Answer 6

They are desperate people, lighten up a bit. But to answer your question: Most Catholics are the same way. Catholicism is a strict authoritarian religion with well defined rules. If you violate the rules you automatically ex communicate yourself under the guidelines of The Common Magisterium. Most Catholics, as well as the adherents of other religions, don't , or choose not to know the rules. Actually, in order to comply with any religion you would need something like a PhD in Theology because the onus
is on the individual to understand what he is supposed to believe, No one does that that is what makes religion rather silly.

Answer 7

You have given a very good explanation for anyone wishing to find out some of the values and beliefs of theCatholic Church- Thank you.

Answer 8

I'm an atheist too, but can't bring myself to put down any individual who has studied hard to put their life towards a career in health/medicine.

Doctors are reportedly supposed to have the highest depression rate of all careers... and I presume that is similar of other health professionals that associate closely day-to-day with sick people. (I'm not sure what either of the McCanns are in the health sector... consultants I think.. but all the same)

If this question is to tick-off the religious people here as not adhering to absolute religious laws and rulings... well they are also allowed tolerance, understanding and forgiveness I think.

Answer 9

More cr* p on this circus story.

Answer 10

Peter O; has a good starting point to make something from.