Topic: Entering the Church

Date originally posted: March 20, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: K. Martyn

Question: I am sponsoring a young lady this Easter who is entering into full communion with the Catholic church.  She has had a variety of church experiences which include a Southern Baptist childhood, Unitarianism, maybe some brief time as a Presbyterian,and more recently Methodist.  Her husband of 4 months is 1 year away from being ordained as a Methodist minister.  He is not voicing any objection to her becoming Catholic and joined her for some of our Masses.  She explains that he is very Catholic in his theology  but is not called to the Eucharist as she is.   She is struggling with one of the questions asked during the Easter Vigil.  It is on page 351  #585  of the book Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (study edition).  The candidates say, I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.    Her question is this.   Does this say that EVERYTHING which the Church believes, teaches  and proclaims in any context is in fact revealed by God?    Or is this saying that she believes everything which God has revealed and that these which God has revealed are the things which His holy Catholic Church believes, teaches and proclaims?   If it is the first  interpretation, then her question is  what is the holy Catholic Church?  Is it the Catechism? second edition revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II  Is it any and all priests?  Is it the pastoral associate?  Is it the Pope?  Is it the Magisterium?  Is it the catechism teacher? Is it the Catholic in the pew saying follow your own conscience?   Are all things labeled Catholic revealed by God?   For my own benefit, if it is the second interpretation, then my question is  how do we know exactly what God has revealed to the Church?  I think I remember that when the Pope speaks from the Seat of Peter on matters of Faith and Morals.  Certainly Scripture.  The Magisterium the teaching arm of the church?  Who is the Magisterium?   I'm afraid that we are down to the wire on this with Easter 2 weeks away.  I hope that you can either help answer this or direct me to someone who might be able to help clear the muddy waters!   I hope that this Lenten Season has been a time of renewal  for you.  Thanks for your help.   Elizabeth Hutchens

Answer: 

Thank you for your inquiry.  With the Easter Vigil fast approaching, my counsel is for your candidate (assuming that she was baptized previously)/catechumen to make an appointment immediately with her campus minister/parish priest.   

From you question(s), it seems she still has many unresolved issues.  Clearly, this is not the best forum in which to answer her concerns. A face-to-face dialogue is in order.  Her decision to enter the church must be one made free of doubt. 

I will keep you in my prayers.