apologetics to a presbyterian
Hello Bros. Ignatius
I am Roman Catholic and my girlfriend is Presbyterian.
In one conversation when she asked me about the Catholic Faith she
I believe there is no salvation outside of the Catholic faith.
Also in describing schism, in another conversation, within the Church,
She is of the mind that you can window shop for a church to worship in
How do you explain that priest are the only "ministers" that can
Why aren't lay people able to have the same powers as a priest and
It is because of this immature disbelief in the Church that i am
please help a frustrated bretheren.
QUESTION from Steve on May 26, 2004
admitted that she would never become Catholic and she doesn't mind
that I am as long as I don't mind she's Presbyterian--well the truth is i
do mind.
she said "if people have a problem with the Church why don't they go to
a protestant church?"
as long as it's Christian--there is no understanding, or a complete
disregard, for the fact that the Catholic church is the only church
sanctified by Our Lord and that He gave the Apostles the Holy Spirit and
the responsibility to establish our conduct and observances. To not
believe in this I consider to be a sin against the Holy Spirit.
consecrate the Eucharist and that it is the means to salvation?
how can the Church trace the rights of ordination that we Catholics
believe in?
comtemplating ending our relationship. I would love to meet a serious
Catholic girl, but that is a selfish desire on my part.
thank you
steve
ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on June 1, 2004
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Dear Steve: I think you are on the right road in terminating this relationship. Although the bishop may give his persmission for it, the Church does NOT encourage mixed marriages for precisely the problems that you are pointing out. Our children need a solid Catholic upbringing. Although I know I will get hate mail for this, but a solid Catholic upbringing is impossible in a mixed marriage. This is not to say that a satisfactory situation in the family cannot be worked out, it can, but a child needs to see both parents with the same faith living the devote Christ-life in that faith. If the parents are of difference Christian traditions, and, by the way, if even both parents are Catholic but one is a marginal Catholic, there will be an effect upon the children. In this day and age our children needs a solid foundation in the faith and rock solid Catholic role-models in their parents to survive the anti-Christian influences of today's society. As to explaining the Truth of Jesus' Teachings on the priesthood, the Eucharist, etc. you may want to visit Catholic Answers and also Scripture Catholic.
God Bless, |