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I was a Protestant for the majority of my life and just recently became a Roman catholic, the problem is during my RCIA classes our instructor failed to mention and discuss the social teachings and certain beliefs that Catholics MUST have, also I was not clear on the issue with mortal sin having to be confessed when the 3 conditions exist, i always went to god alone, I understood it as one goes during Lent and such and that's it...now I have learned this is not the case and my conscience, reason, and logic does not accept certain teachings of the RCC..especially confession, Mary-ever virgin, and her immaculate conception, and purgatory. So sense I received poor training and do not accept these teachings, but have been baptized and confirmed to the Church do I need to just leave the church or just stay in even I DO NOT accept certain teachings..I had always thought that these teachings were taught by the Church but left up to ones only reason and logic if they believed in it, thanks!
Hi, Shaun:
I am sorry for your confusion on the issues you mention in your question. It is hard to believe that an instructor would neglect to teach on these doctrinal issues. These are the very issues I struggled through in my own conversion to Catholicism, until I was able to see the great gift they are in the big-picture of Catholic doctrine and practice for the Christian person.
One cannot return to the Font of Baptism and have the water poured again if he/she falls into mortal sin; therefore, Christ instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation in His Church. In the Gospels the Pharisees were scandalized by the idea that Christ (as they only saw Him as a man) could forgive sins. They had the idea that they would "go to God alone," so it seems.
The teachings of the Church are the teachings of Christ. When I was received into the Catholic Church, I had to make a profession of Faith that I accepted all that the Church taught. The very essence of Protestantism is to "reject certain teachings of the Church - to pick and choose based upon one's own preferences and interior rationalism."
I can only encourage you to look more deeply into these doctrinal issues you are struggling with. Visit www.catholic.com and put the topics/subjects into the search tool on the site, and research and study the issues. Maybe you are having the most difficulties merely because you have not really understood what these teachings actually entail, and are only rejecting your own misunderstanding of these teachings. I wish you the very best.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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