Catholic Answers ONLY!! (preferably from a priest)?
553722
I am not a priest, but I am the CRE of a Catholic parish. I also work with engaged couples in marriage preparation.\n\nIf you are able to live together, why can't you get married?\n\nThat's my question. It sounds like you want to do this right and not have sex before marriage. \n\nGood for you!\n\nAnd you are right, living together would be a temptation- not to mention cause the sin of scandal even if you AREN'T having sex ( because people will think you are anyway.)\n\nYou should talk to a priest. Are you wanting to hurry up getting married because she was kicked out? Not the best reason to enter marriage. Is there a female friend or family member she can live and share rent with for a few months. Even one of your friends or relatives would be perferable to her moving in with you.\n\nWeddings don't have to be the hideous displays we are used to seeing. The only things that matter are the bride, groom, priest and 1 or 2 witnesses. You can do that any day, and go have lunch at McDonalds if that is all you can afford. THE SACRAMENT IS WHAT MATTERS, NOT THE PARTY!!!!\n\nAs for children, you really need to research Natural Family Planning. It is NOT rhythm method, and is so effective, many infertile couples have used it to conceive after giving up on expensive and painful shots!\n\nCheck out www.ccli.org  note that is ORG, not COM.\n\nIt already sounds like you have good control over yourself. Natural Family Planning allows a couple to cooperate with God in planning their family. The couple grows in the love using NFP. \n\nAlso NFP, used properly, is as effective as the Pill, without the awful side effects- one of which IS killing babies. The pill works in 2 ways. The first is by trying to prevent an egg from being released. But if she doesn't take the Pill like clockwork, or forgets to change the patch or get the shot at exactly the right time, an egg can slip out. So the second way the Pill works is by changing the lining of the uterus so a fertilized egg ( in other words a BABY) cannot implant...so it gets flushed down the toilet or thown out with a used maxi pad. Is that really what you want for your baby?\n\n\nThe Pill kills.\n\nAbove all, I ask you to re-read your own question. If neither of you "is ready to have a child for financial, emotional, and mental reasons" you need to think about whether you are really ready to enter marriage. While marriage is a wonderful thing, you really need tremendous maturity and emotional stability to make it last. It is much tougher than you think.\n\nTalk to your priest. Look for other housing for your girlfriend. Or find a cheap room for your self and let her live in the nicer or safer location. Sounds like you need to stop and think before you rush into marriage- or you'll soon be rushing to divorce.
300504
This error you are making is called donatism - the idea that priests have to be perfect.\n\nAnd St. Augustine answered this challenge of yours 1600 years ago.\n\nhttp://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1408.htm
442033
Maybe this could help . . . help from a nonbeliever . . . lol\n\nAuthority \n- Catholic: Scripture and Tradition \n- Protestant: Scripture alone\nBible \n- Catholic: Includes apocrypha \n- Protestant: Exclude apocrypha\nResult of Fall \n- Catholic: Corruption and tendency to sin \n- Protestant: Total depravity and guilt \nFree will \n- Catholic: Free to do good or evil \n- Protestant: Free only to do evil \nPredestination \n- Catholic: Related to God's foreknowledge \n- Protestant: Related to God's decrees \nAtonement \n- Catholics: Death of Christ created merit that is shared with sinners through sacraments \n- Protestant: Death of Christ was a substitutionary sacrifice that satisfied God's justice\nDivine grace \n- Catholics: Prevenient grace helps one believe; efficacious grace cooperates with the human will to do good \n- Protestant: Common grace enabling good works given to all; sufficient grace for salvation given to elect only\nGood works \n- Catholics: Meritorious \n- Protestant: Results of divine grace and unworthy of merit \nSalvation \n- Catholics: Received at baptism; may be lost by mortal sin; regained by penance. Those who have never heard of Christ may be saved. ( Catech 847 http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm#III ) \n- Protestant: Result of divine grace; unconditional. Those who have never heard of Christ may be saved. \nThe Church \n- Catholics: The Catholic Church is "the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation" ( Catech 845 http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm#III ) but those baptized in other Christian denominations are in communion with the Church ( Catech 838 http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm#III ). \n- Protestant: There is a distinction between the visible and invisible church. God saves anyone he chooses, or anyone with proper faith, regardless of church membership. \nSacraments \n- Catholics: Convey grace by their operation (ex opere operato). \n- Protestant: Means of grace only if received with faith. \nPriests - Catholics: A special vocation for some believers; mediators between God and man - Protestant: Priesthood of all believers.\nTransubstantiation \n- Catholics: Affirmed \n- Protestant: Rejected - "Real Presence" instead. \nPurgatory \n- Catholics: Affirmed \n- Protestant: Denied\nPrayer to saints \n- Catholics: Accepted \n- Protestant: Rejected
935770
ewtn.com;pureloveclub.net{look under research};;;AND\nhttp://jerrysmith29.tripod.com/catholicteens/
148160
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is in place for us to be forgiven of our sins, the priest who hears your offenses was put here by Christ himself when He gave the keys to Peter and told him "what he holds bound here on earth will also be held bound in Heaven..." the priest forgives through Christ within him.As for believing in it... I have to say I do because in general people feel better when they talk about their wrongs to get it off their chest so to speak and I think that was ingrained into us by God.
796986
I was away from the church for several years and when I first came back I understood the need for community worship.  The Holy Spirit was sending me all these people that were truly enriching my spiritual journey.  People needing help in their own apostolates, some had stories I needed to hear, some providing knowledge I would not have otherwise gleened.  It was a rich and exciting experience.  Back then I knew it was because of my devotion to the Blessed Mother and my devotion to the rosary.  That was several years ago and now it's like pulling teeth to drag myself to Mass each Sunday.  I have a wonderful priest to whom I've confessed several missed Sunday Masses and he said once, "I know God has so many graces in store for you if you will make Sunday Mass a priority."  I love Daily Mass and I love the Eucharist...I don't know.  I'd love to share more and hear more of your journey...E-mail me.  Maybe we can help each other.
44593
(please read all of this, even if it does look long and boring. you'll be glad you did)If you are asking these questions just to help you decide what to believe, I have some advice for you. If you want to believe the truth but don't know where to find it, buy a Bible and read it from beginning to end. It all is centered around Jesus Christ, God's son. See, God created in the 7 days of creation. Unfortunately, man sinned. So therefore,God gave his only son to die for us as a sacrifice. And because of Him, we can go to heaven if we choose to believe in Christ and be baptized, as I have. But, if we don't believe in Jesus, and live a life of sin, we will be punished by being sent to hell. And by the way, there is no such thing as "purgatory." Catholics think that man can be purged of sin and still go to heaven, but God says that you either go to heaven or hell. Again, I highly advise you to buy a Bible. May God truly bless you through His word. God loves you!
1088852
Not on your life! I'm a born again, washed in the blood of Jesus Christian, who has a direct line to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. I put NO hope in the Pope. I pray to God, not to Mary. I have placed all my hope in Jesus, He's the only way to Heaven! The Bible declares it, that settles it. I don't have to go to a priest to get forgivness of sin, Christ Jesus is my mediator to God the Father. Man cannot give you absolution of sins, only Christ is qualifed to do that. I call NO earthy man "father" only God Almighty deserves that title, certainly no priest.
1165173
I was raised Catholic my whole entire life until 11 years ago after my mother suddenly passed away.  I wanted to get my life in order so I met with the Catholic priest and as soon as I told him that I had 2 step children he stopped me.  I'm not married to a Catholic and didn't get married in the church and he said that I couldn't take communion and that my husband had to get an anullment.  Really broke my heart.  They keep these priests that molest little boys and just move them to another church.!  That's okay?  But me not being married to Catholic isn't okay?!  Sad huh?  So to answer your question, no!
594272
Yes I like this... it just sounds more...TRUE somehow. Nobody who currently professes to be a Christian is truly Christ like...we all have our own prejudices, phobias, hatreds.... SINS. We can only aspire to be like Him and therefore Christianism fits the circumstance better. You should call the Pope or something.
969012
Catholic. Every week and on holy days of obligation. I"m even planning on spending First Friday adoration there sometime (an hour of prayer before the eucharist that lasts all night. YOu sign up for your hour so the church knows to not lock the doors) and I used to be an active member of the League of Mary (a charitable prayer group)
182049
By all means, come to mass with us.  We would be happy to have you.\n\nThe structure of the mass took a little getting use to for me, but it was easy once I understood what was going on and why.\n\nAs a non-Catholic, you will not be required to do all the standing, knealing that is done, you are more than welcome to sit (please stand with the reading of the Gospel, if for nothing else than out of respect for the Word).\n\nOthers are correct that you shouldn't take the communion and the songs/responses will be announced or posted somewhere.\n\nI prefer the Latin mass, and if you have the opportunity to attend one, I would encourage it.  It is, of course, in Latin but there will be notes or missals with the English translation.\n\nIf you are interested in learning more, I would suggest visiting EWTN's web site at http://www.ewtn.com and under FAITH they have a Q&A and a Teaching section, both are very well written and easy to understand.  Also, if you have cable tv, look for the EWTN channel.  Everything there will help you understand what it means to be Catholic.\n\nCall the local parish office and ask to speak with the Director of Adult Formation or about RCIA (Rite Christian Initiation for Adults).  The secretary will point you in the right direction.\n\nAlternately, you can contact me through my profile, I will be happy to answer any question you may have.  I am a recent (1 year ago) convert to the Catholic Church.
1107013
I had a child out of wedlock.  I can tell you that some Catholic priests would not baptize my daughter for precisely that reason.  That's one of the reasons I went to one of the Protestant churches.  I asked for and received forgiveness, and it was never considered something my daughter needed forgiveness for.  She has since been baptized.  Neither of us are going to hell for it, at least not according to our church :)
466913
A priest is bound by Canon law to hear a confession :\n\nIn reply your question, first of all I find it difficult for a priest to refuse hearing someone's confession. What do you mean by a "closed" confessional...I presume a door or screen?\n\nCanon 986 of the Code of Canon Law makes it clear that priests are to hear the confessions of the faithful "when they reasonably ask for it." Here's the canon:\n\nCanon 986.1 "All to whom the care of souls is committed by reason of an office are obliged to provide that the confessions of the faithful entrusted to their care be heard when they reasonably ask to be heard and that the opportunity be given to them to come to individual confession on days and hours set for their convenience."\n\nAs to the place, Canon 964.1 states, "The proper place to hear sacramental confessions is a church or an oratory (chapel)." 964.3 states, "Confessions are not to be heard outside the confessional without a just cause."\n\nSo there it is! If a priest chooses not to hear a confession in a closed confessional, it is his choice, however, the sense of the canon law seems to be that he should not refuse and every priest is bound to the seal of confession no matter where it is heard.\n\n\nHope this is helpful. Father Arnister
1137416
not only christian, catholic too!!!
1125465
hi..just want to share this which i faithfully believe in..and a promise he gave to us.. in (Rev. 22:1-7).. hope it helps.. thx have a good day..
407060
I quit being catholic because of these things.. Like I have always wondered why they taught us to pray to the saints and Mary when it is made clear in the bible that our prayers are to be to God only..If you ask a priest you will most likely get a 30 minute answer that answers NOTHING...I am still looking for those answers so good luck...Just read your Bible and go by that . It won't lie to you.