 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
brian
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 746 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 8th, 2007 03:22 pm |
|
What should one feel free to say or not say if they disagree with a priest. I have a great deal of respect for most all priests as a person who lays down their life in service of God and the Church. But at what point are we free to be honest with them as we would with somebody else? Do you need to be invited to speak freely? Should you ask permission? Is it always ok so long as offered respectfully and not in a bad attitude? If they appear willing to enter the dialogue does that mean you can say whatever you want within the bounds of grace? I know that this may seldom arise, but occasionally spealing with priests there may be moments of disagreement like there would be with anybody else. I was wondering if I should never speak up, or just cautiously proceed, and be careful especially depending on who else was around.
What if, for instance, one of you was a priest on the forum and said something that was questionable (maybe wrong, maybe not, but something that I disagreed with) to what extent could a lay person feel free to challenge what they say in search of truth.
Brian
|
|
|
Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1414 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical "Jesus Freak" (Arminian) / "Lewisian Schaefferite" / Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 8th, 2007 03:56 pm |
|
I think we must always show great respect, of course, for the office and the person. But if it is a real doctrinal issue where the priest is wrong, I think it is not only permissible, but perhaps even a duty, to speak up (privately, of course). We can do so if properly prepared with serious documentation that demonstrates their error. If we appeal to Doctors of the Church, saints, popes, and Councils, and it is very clear-cut, then I think we can do so. Prudence of timing and approach must be seriously considered. A prior solid relationship also helps a great deal, too.
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5080 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 8th, 2007 04:20 pm |
|
I think it depends on the topic. If you're disagreeing about Sunday's football game, handle it as you would with anyone else.
If it's a matter of doctrine, liturgy, scripture, etc., I would assume he is right and ask what I am missing. "St. Thomas said this, but it disagrees with your homily Sunday. What am I missing?" That way you're not putting him on the spot or accusing him of error, but just asking for a clarification. It also gives him the opportunity to say you misunderstood him, or that was not what he meant.
If it's a matter of discipline or practice, let the topic guide. I remember chewing out a priest for visiting my sick, then 12-year old daughter when she was home alone. It was stupid. What if she had wanted to make a scene and accuse him of rape? Plus, he should not have made an unannounced visit to my house to see my daughter without my permission. Nothing happened, of course; it was just stupid of him to put himself in that position (and her ... she had been told not to let anyone in, so she got punished for letting him in).
Just be honest and respectful. Think of him as you would a doctor or lawyer. They are the educated experts, but they are also human and make mistakes.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1414 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical "Jesus Freak" (Arminian) / "Lewisian Schaefferite" / Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 8th, 2007 04:41 pm |
|
CajunRick wrote:If it's a matter of doctrine, liturgy, scripture, etc., I would assume he is right and ask what I am missing. "St. Thomas said this, but it disagrees with your homily Sunday. What am I missing?" That way you're not putting him on the spot or accusing him of error, but just asking for a clarification. It also gives him the opportunity to say you misunderstood him, or that was not what he meant.
I think that is an excellent way to go about it. Clever and wise, yet with strong content . . .
Last edited on Thu Nov 8th, 2007 04:43 pm by Dave Armstrong
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
|
|
|
Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1268 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Nov 8th, 2007 11:06 pm |
|
| I guess I haven't been a catholic long enough to be over my awe of priests and nuns. I can hardly speak to them, much less disagree or correct. Does this go away after a few years?
|
|
|
David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1792 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 12:04 am |
|
Credo Catholic wrote:
I guess I haven't been a catholic long enough to be over my awe of priests and nuns. I can hardly speak to them, much less disagree or correct. Does this go away after a few years?
Only if you allow it to, Marsha. This is an area of human behavior completely controlled by the individual’s active intention and will rather than the typical modern posture of passive absorption and inability to lift a finger and push a button to change the channel.
David
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5080 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 11:43 am |
|
David W. Emery wrote: inability to lift a finger and push a button to change the channel.
We have no problem pushing a button to change the channel, as long as we don't have to get up off the couch to do it.
God help us when we misplace the remote!
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
Current time is 09:51 pm | |
|
|
|
|
|
