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I’ve been exposed a fair amount to hispanic culture, and haven’t seen quite such an extreme case, but I can believe it and I *think* it is a more prevalent error among Mexicans. It may even be somewhat a result of the impact and importance of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Of course, thinking like this is evidence of really bad catechesis which should be corrected by their bishop, priest or confessor. If it happened in my presence I would correct it as it would be my duty to - this is harmful to the Church and to the person and others exposed to his error. If I saw it on FR, I would correct it here, because this is a public forum.

Cases like yours are always the responsibility of the bishop who is responsible for the priest who should teach the faith correctly and correct errors in private. It becomes the responsibility of other Catholics in the parish if it happens in public, but if possible they should deal with it again through their bishop.

This pope is quite firm on correct doctrine, it could take a wise choice of an Archbishop to get an understanding of all this and how to properly deal with it.

On your “hereticness”: I believe the Catholic view would be that while your beliefs are heresy (you don’t believe in the necessity of the sacraments and the Church for example), your culpability is limited because they are due to ignorance and it’s undetermined whether this is vincible or invincible.

Catholics have categories and definitions for *everything.* :)

Which reminds me of a favorite story: A priest travels to furtherest reaches of the Arctic to convert a tiny tribe of Eskimos. He teaches them about sin and grace and heaven and hell.

As he is leaving the chief thanks him and then asks: “Father, if we had died before you came, not knowing about Jesus and salvation, would we all have gone to hell?”

“No, because you didn’t know,” said the priest.

The chief replies, “Then why in hell did you tell us?”

thanks very much for your reply...