IGNORANT CATHOLICS - The alarming void in religious education

Commonweal ^ | April 2004 | John Cavadini

[siunevada]

You don't need credentials to be a catechist, thank God.

I would have been a little more confident if someone had asked a few questions of me to find out if I knew which end was up.

I'm a Scripture and Catechism kind of guy so I know I can "faithfully reflect" the Church's teachings because I know where to find them.

These poor kids are in terrible shape. Their parents aren't doing them any favors by keeping them ignorant.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

It was probably inevitable that the liberalization of American Catholicism would lead to more anti-Catholicism and heresy. The good thing about when we actually studied Latin, Greek, philosophy, and theology in Catholic educational institutions is that Catholicism was understood correctly and people were proud to be Catholic. In fact, most were very grateful that they had been spared the errors and grave evils which reign supreme throughout the rest of America.

We all have to work harder to restore the Catholic faith in the American church.

[alpha-8-25-02]

YOUR MISTAKEING RELIGION AND FAITH

[ELS]

A couple of months ago I looked at the Baltimore Catechism again. You know, there's not a darn thing wrong with it.

Absolutely right! I attended a Gregorian Chant symposium and one of the talks was about the role of memory in learning chant. The speaker mentioned that at elementary school ages, children are "wired" (he used different terminology) for rote memorization. They can memorize stuff much better at that age than adults can. Not to mention that they are not ready for deep analytical or philosphical explanations.

So, have them memorize the Baltimore (or a good Q&A format) Catechism in elementary school. The questions and answers will be firmly planted in their minds. And then, as they get older, they can learn the fuller explanations for each concept. One deosn't learn calculus in elementary school, but if one memorizes the addition and multiplication tables at that time, then the learning of higher level mathematics is much easier.

[Campion]

DO YOU HAVE THE GRACE TO PUSH YOUR CAPS LOCK KEY YET?

[sinkspur]

I truly believe the lack of solid grounding of new generations in the teaching of the faith is the single most important issue facing the Church at the present time.

Amen. And, the fact that few parishes offer any adult catechesis, when adults are hungering for it, is tragic.

Our parish has the luxury of being near the University of Dallas, a Catholic university. We will offer solid theology "courses," which carry a fee, starting in the fall. We will be a consolidation point for Catholics form the DFW mid-cities who wish to further their understanding of Scripture, general theology, and Church history.

[Codie]

The same "parish" that turned out you?

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Alot more:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I did:) Mack was floundering same as I when we married, and now is a fundamental Baptist also.

On a serious note tho. I think it ALSO says something about this solid Catholic School upbring I was educated in. I can think of only 1 person from my class (out of 100) that married within the faith.

I graduated in 72.

My nephews graduated appoximatly 20 years later from the same school, and know no more RCC teachings then I did.

Becky

[Codie]

Both of you make it a point to attack the the Church.Your still floudering.

[Unam Sanctam]

Excellent, and thank you for your good works in instruction -- one of the spiritual acts of mercy!

[sinkspur]

The same "parish" that turned out you?

What are you doing to serve the Church?

Be a sponsor in the RCIA: you could have a powerful affect on someone coming into the Church.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I was not attacking the Church in these posts, I was stating facts about the "theology" education I got from Catholic Schools.

Aren't we suppose to stay on topic here now a days:) The article is about Catholic Education. I was giving a first hand accout of it.

Becky

[Jack Armstrong]

Anyway,parents needs to be the chief catechists.

Suppose a parent wanted to be a good "PARENT"... would that pass as acceptable?
Do you perhaps imagine that there might be a per cent age of "ignorant catholics, who in their quest to be honest with OD thus stumbled upon the truth and thus suddenly emerged reformed awakened protestants?

It could be said to be a wise catholic is to be ...no more "catholic"!
Then where can one find a learned catholic?
To be catholic one MUST carry some form of ignorance!
Speaking from personal experience...
I found no room to worship the LORD within the walls of the Roman "church" once I began a serious deliberate quest to learn JESUS... not learn "about" Him, but actually know HIM, my steps lead away from the "priesthood" & the "mass", and transubstantiation.

[Jack Armstrong]

Hello Brethern also!
Human (in Adam!) born 1953!
Sprinkled by priest 1963!
Confirmed Catholic 1965!
Allowed to take first steps to "THINK" for myself 1971!
Re-Born into the Family of God through the Blood of Jesus Christ -1984!
Seek Him, First , all these (other) things will be added unto you!
The Truth will set you FREE!

[sinkspur]

Do you perhaps imagine that there might be a per cent age of "ignorant catholics, who in their quest to be honest with OD thus stumbled upon the truth and thus suddenly emerged reformed awakened protestants?

No.

Whether you know it or not, you're still an ignorant Catholic.

[Jack Armstrong]

2Ti 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
2Ti 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
2Ti 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2Ti 2:11 [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]:
2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:
2Ti 2:13 If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
2Ti 2:14 Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

---

I made the decision to put Jesus above the religion of man!

[Salvation]

Alarm bells are going off for everyone who reads this. I suggest we email it to Pastoral Councils and/or take a hard copy to all the priests at your church.

Even the bishops (most of all) need to see this!!!!