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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Is this hypocritical?	Chris	Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Question: My father opposes the Holy Roman Catholic Church yet he goes to a Holy Roman Catholic Church. Is it hypocritical to go to a church you OPPOSE?
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Chris: I really cannot answer your question as you give no information at all. It depends on what he "opposes." All Catholics must believe in certain dogmas and definitive teachings of the Church. All Catholics are to be obedient to the all of the Church's teaching. If any Catholic fails at this, then they are no longer in communion with the Church. If no longer in communion with the Church because they oppose required Church teachings, then they may not receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. While someone in opposition to the Church may not receive communion, they are still welcomed to attend Mass (but are to remain in their pews when people go forward to receive the Eucharist). We always hope that such a person, by coming to Mass, will convert or revert. To your specific question about your father, there is little I can say since I do not know what he opposes and his reasons for attending Mass anyway. Maybe he opposes only some things that we are allowed to disagree with. There are many things that are subject to informed opinion. As long as his disagreement is toward those subject that we are allowed disagreement, he can be a Catholic in good standing. Perhaps you should ask him why he attends Mass if he opposes the Catholic Church. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Is this hypocritical?

Chris

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Question:

My father opposes the Holy Roman Catholic Church yet he goes to a Holy Roman Catholic Church. Is it hypocritical to go to a church you OPPOSE?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Chris:

I really cannot answer your question as you give no information at all. It depends on what he "opposes."

All Catholics must believe in certain dogmas and definitive teachings of the Church. All Catholics are to be obedient to the all of the Church's teaching. If any Catholic fails at this, then they are no longer in communion with the Church. If no longer in communion with the Church because they oppose required Church teachings, then they may not receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

While someone in opposition to the Church may not receive communion, they are still welcomed to attend Mass (but are to remain in their pews when people go forward to receive the Eucharist). We always hope that such a person, by coming to Mass, will convert or revert.

To your specific question about your father, there is little I can say since I do not know what he opposes and his reasons for attending Mass anyway. Maybe he opposes only some things that we are allowed to disagree with. There are many things that are subject to informed opinion. As long as his disagreement is toward those subject that we are allowed disagreement, he can be a Catholic in good standing.

Perhaps you should ask him why he attends Mass if he opposes the Catholic Church.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.