WHY does the Catholic Church make things so damn difficult?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you do not like the way the church is treating you, please realize that it is an option to leave the church. I say this as someone who made a similar choice.

Two of my three children were baptized in the Arlington Diocese. Agree with the OP that the requirements are ridiculous and frankly, made us feel anything BIT welcome ... We moved/changed address and subsequently joined a new parish when we had a newborn. I right away asked about baptism and was told I had to wait 6 months...that was the rule. Ugh.
Leaving the church was the best thing I've ever done.

We we warmly welcomed into the fold of a Protestant church and had our third baptized at 2 months. The pastor was thrilled to baptize our baby and did not care that we weren't members.

My newer congregation is full of ex Catholics. We're leaving in droves!

Is this because you no longer believe that the Catholic Church is the church that Jesus established, by designating Peter as its first Pope? Or is it because the Catholic Church doesn't conform to your sensibilities regarding how you should be treated?

I am asking in all honesty. Being a Catholic is not about feeling good. It is about seeking the truth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you do not like the way the church is treating you, please realize that it is an option to leave the church. I say this as someone who made a similar choice.

Two of my three children were baptized in the Arlington Diocese. Agree with the OP that the requirements are ridiculous and frankly, made us feel anything BIT welcome ... We moved/changed address and subsequently joined a new parish when we had a newborn. I right away asked about baptism and was told I had to wait 6 months...that was the rule. Ugh.
Leaving the church was the best thing I've ever done.

We we warmly welcomed into the fold of a Protestant church and had our third baptized at 2 months. The pastor was thrilled to baptize our baby and did not care that we weren't members.

My newer congregation is full of ex Catholics. We're leaving in droves!

Is this because you no longer believe that the Catholic Church is the church that Jesus established, by designating Peter as its first Pope? Or is it because the Catholic Church doesn't conform to your sensibilities regarding how you should be treated?

I am asking in all honesty. Being a Catholic is not about feeling good. It is about seeking the truth.

One of my painful memories of my father's death was the funeral where the priest took five minutes before communion to lecture us on the fact that most of the people in attendance were not welcome to join in the communion (including the Catholics if they hadn't been to confession) but he really looked forward to the day when all Christians could worship together when they come home to the Catholic Church. If it wasn't my Dad's funeral I would have walked out right then. Looking at the lineage of Popes over the years makes it pretty clear that the Church has wandered very far from direction given to them by Jesus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

One of my painful memories of my father's death was the funeral where the priest took five minutes before communion to lecture us on the fact that most of the people in attendance were not welcome to join in the communion (including the Catholics if they hadn't been to confession) but he really looked forward to the day when all Christians could worship together when they come home to the Catholic Church. If it wasn't my Dad's funeral I would have walked out right then. Looking at the lineage of Popes over the years makes it pretty clear that the Church has wandered very far from direction given to them by Jesus.

I'm sorry, that sounds heart breaking and painful. We are given priests as leaders in our local churches. Unfortunately (and fortunately) those priests are humans, imperfect as we are. Sometimes a personality overrides the office with terrible results.

I understand that the priest explained the guidelines for taking communion for those who may not know what to do, it is important, but he certainly should not have taken a scolding tone or drawn it out. I have found priests are like doctors - there are some whose bedside manner, read: people skills, are shockingly lacking for the role they have accepted.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is too much because you have so little love your heart.

We're not talking about humanity or love in our hearts, we are talking about needless rules and regulations.

You think the parish should accommodate you like a nordstroms?

I find this thread to be bizarre. The paperwork for baptism in most parishes is de minimis. You need one catholic and one Christian godparent. They need a letter of standing for their parishes- it is totally pro forma.

Anyone smart enough to like this website should have little trouble navigating this.

Now, understand too that the Catholic Church is actually quite decentralized in matters of administration.

Occasionally you will find a priest-jackass who say, refuses to baptize a child of unwed parents. With the pope's recent remarks this should be less of an issue. But you can always find another parish that is close- if the church is important to you there is always a way at hand. That is what I meant by your love is short.