[sinkspur]

I have the suspicion that if the laity knew what mortal sin really is and the need for confession, you could cut the the communion lines by 75% eliminating the EMs.

Well, I don't happen to think that the vast majority of Catholics who attend Mass every week are mortal sinners.

Catholics should certainly avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but it's highly doubtful that 20 million church-going Catholics are in a state of eternal enmity with God.

[narses]

Well, I don't happen to think that the vast majority of Catholics who attend Mass every week are mortal sinners.

How many use contraception Deacon? How many skip Sunday Mass now and then? How many view the pornography that populates modern television? How many "live in sin"?

[netmilsmom]

>>Well, I don't happen to think that the vast majority of Catholics who attend Mass every week are mortal sinners<<

You know I respect you, but on this one, at least in Cleveland, I truly think you are wrong.
Geez, in a church in Southern Michigan, they have a cross dresser as a Eucharistic Minister. Catholics are not educated enough these days as to what is sin.

[Conservative til I die]

Well, I don't happen to think that the vast majority of Catholics who attend Mass every week are mortal sinners.
Catholics should certainly avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but it's highly doubtful that 20 million church-going Catholics are in a state of eternal enmity with God.

And apparently you don't see any problems with people receiving Communion without Confession. I guess sin is whatever you think it is.

I for one, don't buy the idea that when I go to Mass and literally *everyone* receives Communion, that they're all eligible to.

[franky]

Appropriate for today???

I am sure you are familiar with the following:

A portion of Saint Leonard of Port Maurice's sermon on going to hell.

A must read. For the complete sermon click on

http://www.thekolbegroup.org/thelittlenumberofthosewhoaresaved.html

"It is not vain curiosity but salutary precaution to proclaim from the height of the pulpit certain truths which serve wonderfully to contain the indolence of libertines, who are always talking about the mercy of God and about how easy it is to convert, who live plunged in all sorts of sins and are soundly sleeping on the road to hell. To disillusion them and waken them from their torpor, today let us examine this great question: Is the number of Christians who are saved greater than the number of Christians who are damned?"…

… "Pious souls, you may leave; this sermon is not for you. Its sole purpose is to contain the pride of libertines who cast the holy fear of God out of their heart and join forces with the devil. You are horror-struck at going to hell? Well then, cast yourself at the feet of Jesus Christ and say to Him, with tearful eyes and contrite heart: "Lord, I confess that up till now I have not lived as a Christian.

I am not worthy to be numbered among Your elect. I recognize that I deserve to be damned; but Your mercy is great and, full of confidence in Your grace, I say to You that I want to save my soul, even if I have to sacrifice my fortune, my honor, my very life, as long as I am saved. If I have been unfaithful up to now, I repent, I deplore, I detest my infidelity, I ask You humbly to forgive me for it. Forgive me, good Jesus, and strengthen me also, that I may be saved. I ask You not for wealth, honor or prosperity; I ask you for one thing only, to save my soul."

[Diva]

Catholics should certainly avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but it's highly doubtful that 20 million church-going Catholics are in a state of eternal enmity with God.

How many people who recieve Communion do not even believe in the real Presence? I read somewhere that up to 70% of Mass attending Catholics do not believe. I don't know if the statistics are accurate but that's a lot of people.