And right there is the problem.

What most people don't know is the catholic church says that a catholic has to be married in the catholic church. That they have to be baptized in the catholic church. How do I know this, I once in my youth dated a catholic gal., and it got around to the subject of marriage. At that point I said bye, bye to her.

God bless you, DreamWeaver!

Dear DreamWeaver,

I believe that you may either misunderstand the belief you have quoted, or the Catholic meaning thereof.  When we as Catholics ("Big C") recite the Nicene Creed and state, "I believe in one holy catholic [note: little "c"] and apostolic Church," we do assuredly do not mean that we believe that the Catholic Church is the only source of all knowledge of God, or even that the only path to God goes through the Catholic Church.  Rather we mean the original sense of the word "cathoic"--universal.  Therefore, we believe in one Church of those that believe in, well, basically everything else that we profess to believe in the Nicene Creed.   

As to your other point, please allow some fraternal correction.  Although the Catholic Church much prefers that its members be married by one of their own clergymen (as I'm sure all denominations would so prefer!), it is certainly possible to obtain a dispensation allowing clergy from another denomination to perform the ceremony.  Additionally, according to the Catholic Church, altohugh it is incumbent upon the Catholic spouse to raise the children according to the Catholic Church, the other spouse is under no such obligation!  Truly!  All that is necessary is for the non-Catholic spouse to be aware that the Catholic spouse should (it is by no means true that this always happens) attempt to raise his or her children in the faith.  Quite often, however, the spouses make the religion of their children a matter of conscience and find a middle ground that both are comfortable with.

God bless you all,
MC

Thank you for your responses.  Maybe I was simply overwhelmed by the amount of material, not knowing where to begin.

God bless you all!
MC

Greetings, all!

This question will sound mighty ignorant, but for a good reason: I really am ignorant about this topic!  So, on with it: As a Catholic, I haven't been exposed to too much discussion or writings on the Rapture, and all that goes along with it.  In short, I know that there are different views on it, some of which are pre-trib and millenialism (I think), but I really don't know where to begin looking for more info on the subject.  When on Catholic boards, I can get by with not knowing, as it simply isn't discussed, but I would like to be more knowledgeable when discussing with you guys.  So, if you could help this poor soul find a little knowledge on the different theories and/or theologies of the Rapture, I would be greatly appreciative!

God bless!
MC

PS  I did try a search here, but wasn't able to find what I needed (or didn't recognize it as such).

My son is a christian but wants to date a catholic girl, is that ok? I really need help and don't know what to do, I always thought that Catholics had very similar beliefs to Chrisitans.

Hi awf!

Catholics are dated just like everyone else--cut them in half and count the rings.    Seriously, et me give you the Catholic perspective here, it might help you out.  No doubt you are concerned with some of our "unbiblical" practices--devotions to Mary, the Sacrament of Confession, and the like.  However, let me suggest a different approach to the situation.

Consider what your son will have in common with the Catholic girl.  In fact, you can use the Nicene Creed as a starting point:

We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Step back for a moment and ask yourself what is wrong with the above.  I would imagine that your son, very much like that Catholic girl, believes everything above. That alone makes both of them "Christian."

Or look at this way: I don't know what denomination (if any) you and your son belong to--it's really not important, either.  But would you feel perfectly okay if your son were to date a girl from another denomination that had a different theology than yours?  (For instance, if you had different views about homosexuality, baptism, or salvation?)  If so, what is it specifically about Catholicism that bothers you?  If not, ask yourself if you would be comfortable if your son dated only within the one denomination.

In my view--and I'm sure that there are others on these boards that will disagree with me, as is their right--the most important aspect of dating and/or courtship is that you share the basic beliefs as outlined above in the Nicene Creed.  Forget differences between Catholics and Protestants, Protestants and Orthodox, and Orthodox and Catholics--the differences within any one of these groups can be profound.  If your son has found somebody that loves him and that he similarly cares for, if they help each other grow in faith and love for Jesus Christ, I just can't see the problem.  (Then again, that's my view as a Catholic...)

God bless,
MC

God bless you, Kelly,

Know that you are in my prayers.  I understand that it is often difficult when we think we know God's will, and it turns out to be something different than what we had believed.  The key, I think, is in any situation, to do what God asks of us, whether that is in Ireland, or where-ever else you might be.  The trick is always to make sure we don't confuse what we want of God--even with our best intentions--with what He wants of us. I will say special prayers for you.

Peace,
Monte Cassino

God bless you, Eve,

Please know that you will be included in my prayers, too.  I know that the Lord can work in strange and mysterious ways.  Please remember that He doesn't always let us know what He wants of our lives as bluntly or loudly as He did with Jonah or St. Paul, but sometimes he talks to us with a "tiny whispering sound," as he did Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-12).  Always walk with the love of God on your heart, and He will show you His way.

Peace,
Monte Cassino

Greetings all!

This is one of my first posts on these forums, and I would like to get off on the right foot by asking all of you to remember me in your prayers.  Now, for interest of full disclosure  , I should let you know that I am a practicing Roman Catholic.  That said, I have a deep and abiding love for Our Lord Jesus Christ, His Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost that proceeds from Him.  Ever since I was a wee lad, I've felt the Lord calling me to serve Him in an ever deeper manner.  Lately, I have come to believe that He is caling me to the priesthood in His church, and I am currently in the process of discerning my vocation.  I am enlisting the aid of a spiritual director, and I am mindful to always engage Our Lord in prayer, whether in my mind or out loud, at home, at work, or at play.  Please remember me in your prayers, that I might truly discern God's holy will for me, and that I might always work for the greater flory of God.

Thank you, and God bless,
Monte Cassino

Greetings to all here!

I think that an important concept to keep in mind is that the Spirit brings gifts in varying degrees of fullness to each of us.  (See 1 Cor 12:8-10, Eph 4:11-12, and Rom 12:6-8.)  If any particular Christian is not as fully-equipped with gifts relating to teaching others, perhaps it would be wise for him or her to follow the attitude of St. Francis: "Preach the Gospel always; use words when necessary."  Or, in other words, simply live the life of a Christian, that others might see by your example what a Christian is.

God bless,
Monte Cassino

Evening all!

I'm about to (re-)embark on my career as a research scientist, after taking a short detour as a lawyer.  I'll be moving back to the north finally (Rochester, NY).  I really dislike being here in the dusty southwest.  (It's fine for others, and I love visiting Arizona, but I need seasons, rain more than once every five months...    )

Physically, I enjoy bicycling, reading, walking, and cooking.  Mentally, I can't wait to get back into the lab.  I'm a history buff, and enjoy learning (or trying to!) new languages.  Spiritually, I'm a Catholic Christian who is deeply in love with his faith, with the Lord, and with Jesus.  In an odd manner of speaking, you could almost call me a "Transcendental Christian"--after Emerson and Thoreau, not the eastern practice of meditation.

I came to these boards to engage other Christians about our faith.  I am assuredly not here to convert anyone to Catholicism, nor am I here to be converted myself to other branches of Christianity.  Rather, I would prefer to have good conversations about our similarities and differences, to learn more about Christianity in general, and non-Catholic denominations in particular.

God bless you all!
Monte Cassino