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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Judging an opinion	Dominic	Sunday, January 6, 2019
Question: I have a long time friend who I see maybe once or twice a year. He told me the last time I talked with him after a long chat that he doesn't go to Mass on Easter, Christmas, nor New Years because of the crowds and can't stand those people that go especially only on Christmas and there are overflow crowds. He says he has to stand through the whole Mass and does not like that. He also is thinking about leaving the CC because of the scandals, Pope Francis' expressions that don't make sense, etc. I told him that if he wants to make sure he gets a seat to get there early. He didn't like what I said. I also told him about the dangers of leaving the CC and the fullness of truth and he said there are many other churches are are spirit filled. Needless to say my friend got angry at me for correcting him and that I have to right to tell him what he can or cannot do. I mentioned this to a priest and he told me that what my friend was saying was his opinion and me by correcting him was judging and that I should leave that to God. However, I feel that if I don't tell somebody when they are doing wrong, especially going against Church teachings, that God will hold it against me as written in Ezekiel 3:17. Should I have said something or just kept my mouth shut. Also what about this thing about there are many non-Catholic churches that are very spirit filled; what response should I make?
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD Dear Dominic: I apologize for the long delay in answering. We had a glitch in the system to which I just now received notice of your question. Contrary to what your priest said, we are our brother's keeper (Genesis 4:9), meaning that we are to take notice of our brethren out of compassion and concern. Within reason, we have an obligation to warn a friend that he is about to drive off a cliff. In fact, the Catechism states that if we see sin about to happen, and we are in position to say someting, and we do not warn the person, then we become an accomplice with that sin. So this is serious stuff. 1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them: - by participating directly and voluntarily in them; - by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them; - by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so; - by protecting evil-doers. You had a duty to warn your friend of the consequencesnot attending Holy Mass and his intent to leave the Church. Once that warning is given and he understands the consequences, then it is up to him to take heed or not. If he will not listen to the warning, then it is on him. Your job is finished here. We each have free will, which we may abuse, if we wish, when we choose wrongly. Keep on the lookout for openings to kindly and gently talk to him about the matter, but do not nag him, rather pray for him. As for the Holy Spirit in Protestant fellowships, the Holy Spirit goes where He wills, but the fullness of His presence is only in the Catholic Church, the only Church founded by Jesus personally. The Holy Spirit will never lead a person out of the Catholic Church, or away from the Church. Thus, while there can be the presence of the Holy Spirit elsewhere, those Protestant fellowships cannot have the fullness of His presence and grace as they are not Catholic, and do not have valid Sacraments (other than baptism and marriage). Your friend is planning to leave Jesus when he leaves behind the Eucharist and Christ's Bride, the Catholic Church. All else is a Reader's Digest version of the faith. We will be in pray for his fellow. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Judging an opinion

Dominic

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Question:

I have a long time friend who I see maybe once or twice a year. He told me the last time I talked with him after a long chat that he doesn't go to Mass on Easter, Christmas, nor New Years because of the crowds and can't stand those people that go especially only on Christmas and there are overflow crowds. He says he has to stand through the whole Mass and does not like that.

He also is thinking about leaving the CC because of the scandals, Pope Francis' expressions that don't make sense, etc.

I told him that if he wants to make sure he gets a seat to get there early. He didn't like what I said. I also told him about the dangers of leaving the CC and the fullness of truth and he said there are many other churches are are spirit filled. Needless to say my friend got angry at me for correcting him and that I have to right to tell him what he can or cannot do.

I mentioned this to a priest and he told me that what my friend was saying was his opinion and me by correcting him was judging and that I should leave that to God.

However, I feel that if I don't tell somebody when they are doing wrong, especially going against Church teachings, that God will hold it against me as written in Ezekiel 3:17. Should I have said something or just kept my mouth shut.

Also what about this thing about there are many non-Catholic churches that are very spirit filled; what response should I make?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD

Dear Dominic:

I apologize for the long delay in answering. We had a glitch in the system to which I just now received notice of your question.

Contrary to what your priest said, we are our brother's keeper (Genesis 4:9), meaning that we are to take notice of our brethren out of compassion and concern. Within reason, we have an obligation to warn a friend that he is about to drive off a cliff. In fact, the Catechism states that if we see sin about to happen, and we are in position to say someting, and we do not warn the person, then we become an accomplice with that sin. So this is serious stuff.

1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:

- by participating directly and voluntarily in them;

- by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;

- by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;

- by protecting evil-doers.

You had a duty to warn your friend of the consequencesnot attending Holy Mass and his intent to leave the Church. Once that warning is given and he understands the consequences, then it is up to him to take heed or not. If he will not listen to the warning, then it is on him. Your job is finished here. We each have free will, which we may abuse, if we wish, when we choose wrongly.

Keep on the lookout for openings to kindly and gently talk to him about the matter, but do not nag him, rather pray for him.

As for the Holy Spirit in Protestant fellowships, the Holy Spirit goes where He wills, but the fullness of His presence is only in the Catholic Church, the only Church founded by Jesus personally. The Holy Spirit will never lead a person out of the Catholic Church, or away from the Church. Thus, while there can be the presence of the Holy Spirit elsewhere, those Protestant fellowships cannot have the fullness of His presence and grace as they are not Catholic, and do not have valid Sacraments (other than baptism and marriage).

Your friend is planning to leave Jesus when he leaves behind the Eucharist and Christ's Bride, the Catholic Church. All else is a Reader's Digest version of the faith.

We will be in pray for his fellow.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum