Why don't the Catholic faith take their head out of the sand?

Question

The catholics never seem to improve their faith by sticking to outmoded, obsolete beliefs. The first thing they need to do is to do away with the requirement for celibacy of priests. Secondly they need to ordane women as priests. Third, they need to recognize the fact that homosexuals are born, not made. Fourth, there are some abortions that are necessary according to the circumstances of each case.

Answer 1

I agree, they are going to lose more members and potential members in time as the world becomes more enlightened, and they refuse to rethink these old ideas.

Answer 2

The fact that the Catholic Church has consistently rejected your "improvements" has to do with the fact that we're more interested in pleasing God than man. Abortion except in the case of the mother's life being at stake and the active expression of the homosexual lifestyle are both sins in God's eyes. The Church can't condone either one and still be acceptable as far as God is concerned.

As for married or women priests, neither one is expressly forbidden by God, but there are good reasons for both being unacceptable. A married Protestant pastor is torn between caring for his family and taking care of his people, but an unmarried priest isn't.

I've heard many stories about ministers promising their wives and/orchildren to go somewhere or do something -- only to have an emergency come up with a church member that prevented it. The children and the wife both resent the fact that they come second, while the church members take first place.

As far as women priests are concerned, I can understand the problems there, too. We women are vulnerable to physical and emotional attacks, and priests are sent to places where both are very possible. Women are safer not being priests, that's for sure.

So that's why the Catholic church's policies and beliefs haven't changed. The Church is the guardian of her people, and at the same time, she's responsible to God for upholding His standards.

Answer 3

Let's start with getting people to understand the difference between the institution of the Catholic Church, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, Catholics themselves, and faith. All VERY different things, my friend.

Most of it I'm not going to comment on, but I do want to clear up that the teachings of the Catholic Church state that homosexual sex is the sin, not homosexuality itself. And the reasoning boils down to the same arguments against sex outside of marriage. Go read "Always Our Children" by the US Catholic bishops. We could all use a little "taking our head out of the sand."

Answer 4

Though I'm not a catholic anymore, I will say that some catholics have been trying for years to get the vatican to go back to the time when priest were allow to marry. If they did, it would solve a lot of their problems. But, history has clearly proven that is not the concern of the vatican in spite of what people may prefer to believe. This problem hasn't been around for just the past 5, 10 or past 25 years. It's been around for hundreds of years! And it's not getting any better--and it never will. One can find website after website with comments and articles stated by former catholics about the problem. I, personally have read some going back as much as 200 years and they say nothing more than what is being read in today's newspapers. If that doesn't prove to an individual that the vatican doesn't care, then what will it take?

But rather look at the problem and deal with it, many catholics blow it off and just say they are only human. And yes, I have read this comment made by many catholics. Well, if that's the case, are they saying they are doing such things themselves? Otherwise, who is kidding whom?

Just look at the comment that "wolfeblayde" (4 below me) made:

"...fact that the Catholic Church has consistently rejected your "improvements" has to do with the fact that we're more interested in pleasing God than man."

It proves that catholics do not read the Bible. Because God Himself expected one man and one woman to marry each other. That was the "whole" purpore of God making a Eve for Adam to begin with. It doesn't get any simpler than that! Because God call the woman the helpmate. And to claim that a married couple can not serve God as well as a single person is utter nonsence. Because an indivdual is as only as close to God as his/her relationship is with their spouse. Ponder that! As for the one little verse that the vatican tries to justify itself on, if I remember correctly, comes out from one of the Gospels. That said, if the they take the Bible at face value as they claim, then why aren't the priest getting themselves castrated to begin with? The church itself proves it takes the Word of God as joke. History of mama alone proves that it is not God's "one true church". Must you wait until Judgement Day (White Throne Judgement--then it will be too late) to finally see that God does not want anyone in the catholic chuch because it doesn't abide by the Word of God?

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Revelation 18:4-5

Up date:

Church Music Girl (6 below me) I hope and pray that you will take the time to read this book on line below. It was written by a former catholic. back in '79. The man is now dead. The man name was Alberto Rivera. I spoke with his wife and son about 5 years ago through e-mail. Even if you disagree with it, all I ask is that you read it. Thank you.

Answer 5

Beliefs inspired by the Holy Spirit do not become outmoded.

+ Celibate Clergy +

Priests, religious brothers and religious sisters (nuns) as part of their vocation choose not to marry following:
+ The practice recommended in the Bible
+ The example of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostle Paul.

+++ Scripture +++

In Matthew 19:12, Jesus says, "Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

In Matthew 19:29, Jesus says, "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."

Matthew 22:30 - Jesus explains, "At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven."

In 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul writes, "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman."

Then in 1 Corinthians 7:7, Paul says, "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am."

In 1 Corinthians 7:27, Paul writes, "Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife."

In 1 Corinthians 7:32-33, Paul teaches, "I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife." And in verse 38, "So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better."

Paul recommends celibacy for full time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”

See also 1 Timothy 5:9-12, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Revevation 14:4, Isaiah 56:3-7, and Jeremiah 16:1-4.

+++ Scriptural Examples +++

Biblical role models of a celibate clergy came from John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul.

John the Baptist and Jesus are both believed to have been celibate for their entire lives. Some scholars believe that the example of the Essenes influenced either or both Jesus and John the Baptist in their celibacy.

WWJD? What would Jesus do? Jesus did not marry.

The Apostle Paul is explicit about his celibacy (see 1 Cor. 7). There is also evidence in the gospel of Matthew for the practice of celibacy among at least some early Christians, in the famous passage about becoming “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12).

The concept took many twists and turns over the years and will probably take a few more before Christ returns in glory.

A priest is "married" to the Church. Some people think that a priest who takes his duties seriously cannot take proper care of a wife and family. "A man cannot serve two masters."

+ Women Priests +

The Catholic Church currently teaches:

The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry.

The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.

For more information see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1577: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3.htm#1577

+ Homosexuals +

Even science does not yet say that homosexuals are born and not made.

Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.

The Catholic Church believes there is nothing sinful about being homosexual. But homosexuals like all unmarried people are called to celibacy.

The Church specifically says that homosexuals "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."

Here is the text of the document, On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons (1986): http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_df86ho.htm

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2357-2359: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art6.htm#2357

+ Abortion +

The Catholic Church believes that abortion is gravely wrong at all times.

Rape: The conception of human live in the midst of the violent and horrifying crime of rape is one good thing that can come of something evil. The killing of the innocent unborn human being would be a second wrong unsuccessfully trying to make a right.

Risk: Unfortunately "threaten her life" is a very vague term. Some people will say that any pregnancy is a risk to the mother's life (a few women do die during childbirth) and justify an abortion.

The one exception is when a pregnant woman must undergo a medical procedure to save her life and as a regrettable but unavoidable circumstance the unborn baby dies. This is not an abortion.

Birth defects: Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all humans have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.

All human life is a sacred gift from God. No human life is useless or worthless.

Impacts to society:
+ The tragic death of an innocent defenseless human being
+ The physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual harm to the mother
+ The psychological, emotional, and spiritual harm to the medical practitioners involved in the abortion
+ The cheapening of human life in the eyes of society and the acceptance of a culture of death

For more information, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1934 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect1chpt2art3.htm#1934

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 6

Well, my goodness, if you've got it all figured out, why waste time on Y!A -- take it directly to Rome!

Seriously, and with all due respect, it's very easy for non-Catholics to make assumptions and pass judgment. But I'm afraid things aren't quite so simple as you think. In every age there have been people who view certain things as "outmoded and obsolete", but with the perspective of time they were seen as solidly based in truth after all. What you're saying is that the Church should roll with the changing tides of cultural consensus. In another 40 years, your grandchildren are likely to consider the statement you've made as laughably outmoded and obsolete. The Church has withstood far more cultural upheaval than this, and it hasn't done that by remaking itself to fit the popular "enlightened" opinions of each generation.

Answer 7

As it pertains to the catholic church, I'm with you, and I agree with you.

As for your views that homosexuals are born, not made, I disagree with you. You don't see a male baby humping the leg of every guy that passes his way. Most young men are hetro, as they watch women and hide porn under the bed, and even go to the extreme of looking at National Geographic to see the nude native person.
It's only when they get into high school and have the gay agenda stuffed down their throat that they start to doubt their masculinity. I know two homosexuals personally, and have seen the way they were brought up. One was brought up in a house of three women, and one was the son of an overbearing mother that doted on him. I'm more of the opinion, that it's nurture, not nature that creates homosexuals.

That aside, it's not the sinner that we hate, it's the sin. The creator didn't create man to sleep with man, and woman was created to be man's companion.

Answer 8

How about a good 'no' to all of those things. There are certain rites in which married men can become priests, just not the Roman Rite, and even in that one there are circumstances in which a married man can be ordained.

The Church does not have the authority (based on scripture and tradition) to ordain women.

The Church recognizes both circumstances..."2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains LARGELY UNEXPLAINED... Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,140 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."141 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. "

Abortion is a mortal sinxcore and that will not change. As far as I know there is only one case in which abortion would be ok, and thats if the mother will die and the child will die.

Answer 9

Though I certainly under no circumstances agree with the teachings of the Catholic faith as being the accurate truth I certainly see fault with your reasonings.

But why would a woman or an active homosexual or anyone else want to be part of an organisation in which they do not respect the teachings of that organisation?

Why would thy want to be a part of an organisation they do not agree with?

If a woman wants to be ordained and an active homosexual wants to be part of a church then there is the anglican church who will be more than happy to tickle their ears.

I do not agree with many things that is taught or it's traditions but then that is good reason why I would never want to be catholic in the first place.

Answer 10

Going to church doesn't make a person Catholic as much as going to a garage makes a person a car. One must have a pesonal connection with the Lord. There are bad people in all fields of life. People shouldn't let what others do or say define who they are.

Answer 11

First, Catholics stick to traditions that are sacred to their faith.
Unless faith has gone out of style, I don't think it's outmoded or obsolete.

Secondly, learn how to spell ordain.

Thirdly, Catholics are not the only Christians to define homosexuality or abortions as wrong.

And fourthly, perhaps you should refrain from criticizing religions of which you are so painfully ignorant that it is ridiculous. But first, before pursuing something as vague as sprituality, try grammar, punctuation, and spelling. That way, if you ever say anything so stupid again, at least it won't be so obvious how ignorant you are.