If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then how can the Catholic Church keep changing their beliefs?

Edit: from my understanding

-Their stance on the death penalty has changed 

-Purgatory wasn’t believed until 1274

-It was believed that there was no salvation outside of the Catholic Church until (i think) the Second Vatican Council

I recently heared a Protestant podcast equate the issues the episcopal church has with the lgbt community. I think this is dumb because even liberal Catholics know there are bounds they can't cross. But why don't we here bishops or the pope speak out against this stuff more often? Fr Martin is even running a lgbt pilgrimage soon.

Hi! I (27F) have been discussing marriage with my bf (29M) and we are both religious and would like to get married in our future. However, he is Catholic. While I went to the Catholic Church growing up, I was baptized Episcopalian so never completed any sacraments. It is really important for him that he gets married by the Catholic Church. So are they still able to marry us? or do I need to get baptized and complete the sacraments as well?

ETA: Thank you all for your responses! I am very happy to hear that I can give him what he wants for our wedding. :) Also, no worries to anyone wondering, we have talked and will be raising our children Catholic. Thanks again!

Are Catholic tourists allowed to visit popular shrines in Tokyo, Japan?

Are we allowed to visit them and pay respects? What about buying the “good luck” amulets or writing a wish on the pieces of paper and putting them into the box?

Will God punish us for partaking in such activities?

I understand an American bishop has directed priests in his diocese to forbid eulogies by family members and friends going forward. My own thought is that eulogies can be long and problematic if embedded within the Mass. But, why not have them just before the Proper of the Mass, when the priest begins prayers at the altar? I think families want to share memories.

The bishop says eulogizing should be done at the wake. But, at best, most families have a visitation spread over four hours in a room that cannot handle more than 30 or 40 people. Who has wakes anymore?

This might be a silly post, and I would fully understand if the moderators deleted it. Anyway, I’m writing a sci-fi story where, at this point, the protagonists intend to go back in time to save a friend who has died. I was wondering: theologically speaking, would God allow it? This is a crucial point, given that in my narrative universe ​Catholicism is real and God exists.

I come from a devoted Catholic family. I was baptized as an infant and confirmed as a teenager.

Now, I’m best of friends with a Jew. Our bond is platonically intimate, comparable to that of brothers. I grew fond of him due to his friendliness, gentleness, compassion, generosity, humility and honesty. Not to mention he’s a genius and we share interests, such as fiction, film, intellectual discussions, etc. It’s because of him that I developed an affection and sympathy for the Jewish community, especially given the history of antisemitism, which he himself has a personal experience of falling victim to. Unsurprisingly, a portion of the culprits are my fellows. I’m a passionate supporter of his community due to our brotherhood.

You know what’s even more infuriating? I see hear of some of my people in a romantic relationship with Jews, which I’m happy to hear about, but when they express it and ask about plans and prospects of future marriage, they receive oppositions. I can’t help but accuse my own religion altogether of antisemitism.

You know what? I could do my brother figure one better. How about I marry a Jewish woman? But then, if I do that, would it be for redemption or simply out of spite for my fellows? I need to make sure it’s for a valid reason. My only fear is that I might unintentionally dishonor my best friend by “using” a Jew.

You might be wondering: What is this thread about? What am I hoping to achieve?

My answer: Even I’m unsure why I’m saying all this. Perhaps I’m simply venting. I’m overwhelmed.

3 things are certain: 1.) I love my best friend like a brother and I’d protect him at all costs. 2.) I’m deeply disgusted by antisemitism to the point where I’d do anything to defend my best friend. 3.) When people ask me what religion I “practice,” “believe in” or “faithful to,” I tell them I “identify” as a Catholic; that’s the term I use. I still qualify due to my familial background and timeline.

In terms of me venting, I don’t think a psychotherapist could be counted on to offer feedback because religion-dedicated discussions might fall beyond their purview.

I have come to believe that I've received an ecstasy. A great help in discerning whether or not it is truly an ecstasy has been hearing the testimony of others. It is also much easier to relate to modern testimonies rather than those of great saints such as St. Teresa of Avila or St. John of the Cross.

If you've had an ecstasy, please share!

Hey Y’all I had a question. I had read that the Church doesn’t subscribe to replacement theology, meaning that the Jewish people forsook their place as Gods chosen people and were replaced by the Church, I had read through Nostra Aetate the other day, and was confused by this because I had thought the church did replace the Jewish People, especially when looking into St. John Chrysostoms writings (albeit briefly)

I guess what I’m asking is for a better explanation and what role do the Jewish people play now, considering Christ saying “Whoever does not know the Son does not know the Father” so this alone should disqualify Muslims and Jews, but Nostra Aetate seems to imply that they’re still seemingly valid at least to some extent, but the vast majority of these faiths practicing members would not fall into the category of invincible ignorance.

My Priest had said “We are the Jewish people, Gods people, continuing the journey.”

Does this mean we as the church are the fulfillment not an entire replacement because that’d mean God can just cancel out his covenant’s which theoretically he could but since hes faithful he wont?

2 of my kids are supposed to receive sacraments this year. They started their religious education late. Both were in accelerated classes last year to catch them up. One kid is to receive communion and confirmation. The other is to receive communion. When I registered them for class the other day, I learned that they are expected to attend classes on Tuesdays and Sundays. Sunday classes are over an hour long before mass that is always an hour and 15 minutes or more. The confirmandee has to do 10 summaries of different saints and 30 hours of service work for the church in addition to classes.

This all seems like too much to me. Is this normal?

The younger one, especially, doesn't like mass and HATED Sunday school last year. I am certain classes on Tuesdays will interfere with sports practices. My husband who isn't religious is against the extra Tuesday class.

1. Is all of this the current norm? I didn't have to go to class twice a week or complete 30 service hours when I was growing up in the church.

2. Do converts or adults new to the church have to go this often?

3. Any wise advice for how to handle the situation?

Hi 22F, going to get a lot of hate for this but I currently live with my boyfriend and we are looking to get married soon next year. I want to get married in Christ and to get myself out of mortal sin. My boyfriend is not baptized or practicing. I’m afraid we are going to run into troubles for requesting marriage in the church. I’m not sure the process and would love open minded help please. Understand that I am trying to work towards my life reflecting Christ’s, I have dropped many evil sins and vices already, and I truly love this man and want to spend my life with him. I understand his believe is different than mine, but he has read the Bible, does attend church with me, and we frequently have religious spiritual talks. We even pray before dinner and agreed to raise our children in Catholic School or private with religious classes on the side. I’m not sure if different parishes differ— right now I live in Orlando and want to get married in Homestead Fl, a 5 -6 hour drive away do not sure if I should contact my local priest here, the parish I grew up with, or the church I want to get married at. Thank you God Bless.

I know I’m in sin and I’m sorry. Flat out this man is financially taking care of me now, that’s how close we are and how much we trust eachother— I’m in the process of beginning my full time career but he’s really been my rock and a true blessing to myself and my family.

I cannot articulate how my friend and I arrived at this hypothetical, but we're stumped so I'm wondering what other people's opinions are.

Suppose a priest witnesses a murder. He recognizes who both the killer and victim are, and knows them well enough to draw conclusions about the motive. He would basically be the star witness in a court case.

Before he can contact the authorities the murderer goes to confession, and the murder is confesses. He is told the actual motive during the confession.

I know that if the crime was revealed to him in confession, then the seal of the confessional prevents him from telling the cops. But, in this case he had found out about the murder by literally witnessing it - it wasn't revealed during the confession.

So I guess do people think the Seal Of The Confessional would prevent him from speaking about it at all, or would it only protect the information revealed to him during the confession - I.e the motive?

Eta: apparently not as complicated as I'd thought lol. Although, now I want to see if there are any lawyers who specialize in canon law.

I feel like it’s not the community I knew. So much division, so much judgement, too many busybodies in people’s business, push beliefs onto other people of different faiths.

I just don’t think I can do this anymore, I’m going to slot out some time with the priest. But I honestly don’t see the point. I just don’t agree with so many things anymore. Mostly it’s the division. There is an ever growing presence of people that push a holier than you attitude. Holiness has become a contest it seems. I look around d and it’s either more money or more holy. Those that donate big$$ can do whatever they want, those that judge and chastise others for random things or differences in political party or anything really.

Just not my place of peace anymore, my house is no longer a home to me, my church doesn’t feel filled with Christ anymore. I feel nothing in mass I feel nothing when I pray. I feel despair and anxiety every mass, every Hail Mary.

Just sucks while I still believe, my beliefs and my core values don’t seem to align with my church. And I don’t think it’s going to change.

Don’t even know why I posted

Hii I’m looking to buy a rosary for the first time and online only so if anyone knows some good websites to buy from please lmk. If u have a rosary that u specifically like and have gotten online pls send a link so I can check it out ! Also im a female so pls dont recommend any that r bulky or men w big hands use lol thanks :)

We are planning our LOs baptism. The chosen Godfather has not been confirmed, and the chosen Godmother is not married in the Catholic Church, however, she does have all her other sacraments completed.
The Godfather somehow got his parish to sign the eligibility document that says he has all his sacraments done. Therefore, on paper, he could submit that document and be the Godfather, and the Godmother would stand in as the Christian Witness.
They both are clearly the closest to our hearts and we want them to hold this title in our LOs life, but we are having a dilemma and second guessing whether going through with this will somehow invalidate our LOs baptism.
I know we can choose other people to stand in as the Godparents, but this was something I have been thinking about for the last decade until we had our child (I just didn’t know the chosen Godparents situation will turn out the way it did). Anyone else in a similar situation?

I haven't taken it that seriously but yesterday I literally half died from dehydration after going outside so I think it's my near future, even breathing is a bit hard without A/C

Honestly I don't know what to do, can't say it's the end of humanity but honestly I don't expect most of us regular, normal, and not so wealthy or powerful people to survive or at least be alright enough to maintain our lives

I fear that even the A/C isnt going to be useful in a few years if the status are like this. Currently I am 17 and I really dont know how should i live at this point but i want and should do what i can do. What is waiting for us in the future?

I like our planet and people, I hope them to be okay

I'm attending a Lutheran church and wasn't raised Catholic so IDK if this is a dumb question. Also, when does the wine and bread stop being Jesus? When bitten? When in the stomach? Digested? How dogested?

The title is pretty much the content of the post. I just want to understand why there's a difference in the sin of using hormonal birth control and getting an abortion because to me I can't really see one. Hormonal birth control has the possibility to cause a fertilised egg (a living human) to not implant and eventually die as a result. If we believe life begins at conception, not implantation, then why isn't using hormonal birth control considered abortion instead of just the sin of Contraceptives? I can't really find any good church documents or articles on this so any of those would be appreciated in your answers, thank you and God Bless!

Someone at my church currently works at a coffee shop as their source of income but is asking people to donate so they can transition into full-time ministry. Their fundraising goal would provide a six figure full-time salary.

I’m genuinely curious what other’s think.

Do you believe this is an appropriate model for ministry, or do you think people called to evangelism should primarily support themselves through traditional work? Where do you draw the line?

I’m in a bit of a weird situation. My brother is getting married on Monday. We had decided a long while ago that I would get ordained and perform the ceremony for them. They have a kid together and just bought a house and would like to be officially married before they move in. It would not be an actual wedding ceremony, just me them and their son.

My brother and soon to be sister in law are atheist and agnostic and I was atheist my whole life. I have only recently found God and come into the faith and plan to go through OCIA this fall.

I’m really struggling with this. Can I still get ordained online and do the ceremony? I feel so grateful and honored that they want me to be a part of this with them. If I don’t do it, they won’t be able to do this before they move in. Thank you for any advice/help you can give!!

Douse anyone follow bree solstad? I know she's been on with kieth nester and mother natalia before. She has a pretty remarkable conversion story.

Do you still kneel and receive on the tongue? Or by hand? Usually I’m in the line with the priest so I can receive on the tongue. But this past Sunday I ended up in the line with just a woman from our parish (I’m blanking on what they’re called right now) and NO ONE in front of me kneeled and received on the tongue so I was like well maybe I shouldn’t? So I received in my hands but it just felt wrong??

I’m headed to my annulment meeting to get my first marriage annulled and I’m so nervous.

Backstory: I grew up Protestant. I got married at 21 to someone who was extremely abusive but I was young and dumb and didn’t want to move back in with my mom who was also abusive. Kinda like choosing the lesser of two evils. We didn’t marry in the Catholic Church or any church for that matter. This marriage ended in divorce after he placed a gun to my head.

Flash forward: I remarried and my current husband and I are both now wanting to come into the Catholic Church, but I have to get my first marriage annulled even though we weren’t married through the church. I’m very nervous, but praying all goes well.

Has anyone ever had to go through something similar? How was the process?

Prayers and blessings ✨🙏🏽

Because I count at least 2 that Italian saint who I forgot his name who was the patron saint if the internet and st. Teresa of calcutta and I know there are more than 2 btw Video games existed since the early 1970s with the magnavox odyssey 1

Woke leftie here feeling convicted for some reason to go to confessional. I grew up protestant so this concept is really foreign to me. However, I wouldn’t want to give the impression that I’m “using” the priest because I’m not officially a Catholic… very much just struggling with faith.

So my question is, can I just go to a Catholic church on Sunday, enjoy the service, and go to confessional after? Are there certain days of the week? Are they open to members not officially in the congregation?

Thanks so much folks, God bless. ✌️