Topic:  How much personal interpretation does the Catholic Church allow?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: August 23, 2004

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Spencer

Question:   I was raised in a nondenominational Protestant church, but fell away for about 5 years. I have been attending Mass for about 7 months now, and have considered going through the RCIA process to become a practicing Catholic. However, I find that I disagree with some of the Church's teachings. I would feel like a hypocrite if I became Catholic, knowing that I did not fully believe in all I was professing to. How much personal interpretation does the Catholic Church allow? Thank you.

Answer: 

Dear Krista,
Krista, thank you for your question. I hope you will continue to pursue what Catholics believe through the RCIA process. Among all the many things taught by the Church, what "must" be believed? For starters, the Church teaches two things: one, that a person must believe with faith all those things contained in the “deposit of faith” entrusted to the Church by the Holy Spirit. Secondly, every human person should enjoy the use of their own judgment and freedom in making decisions (for it is their right out of human dignity). They should be free to base their own actions on their consciences, and not be coerced by psychological or outside pressures. No one can make you a Catholic. However, all persons should also have a moral obligation to seek the truth, especially religious truth about God and the Church. Once a truth is known, then they are obliged to uphold the truth and regulate their lives in accord with it. When one joins the Church, a profession of faith is made. One cannot make a profession of faith knowing all divine beliefs, since they themselves are not divinely revealed, but rather they are “accepted and held.” Once one becomes Catholic, you have a moral obligation to continue to learn about the teachings of the church and all that it holds. I’ve been a priest for many years and I am still learning about the Catholic faith! I doubt very few Catholics themselves know all there is to know about the Catholic faith. So in that sense we are all hypocrits in the eyes of God, Catholic or not. So the bottom line is that as long as you are open to the Holy Spirit and willing to learn openly about all that the Catholic Church holds and teaches, then you are ready to become Catholic, and learn how to live your faith. If you should obstinately defy the teachings of the Church, or close your mind to learning about the faith, then I would suggest you not become Catholic at this time, and wait and pray that the Holy Spirit opens your mind later.