Issue with church being a little too welcoming - in Diocese of Arlington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is an Arlington thing. Archdiocese of Washington allows a parishioner to join and attend any church within the diocese. And I have seen some Catholics try to convert the spouse of a member...but usually it is a little more subtle.

Not just an Arlington thing. My parents' diocese in Ohio is like this, as is my aunt and uncle's in North Carolina.

It does have to do with both financial stability of the parishes and, frankly, the reality that some pastors are better than others. By requiring you to be a member of your assigned parish, it assures stability even during the tenure of priests who otherwise don't meet the spiritual needs of the parishoners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is an Arlington thing. Archdiocese of Washington allows a parishioner to join and attend any church within the diocese. And I have seen some Catholics try to convert the spouse of a member...but usually it is a little more subtle.

Not just an Arlington thing. My parents' diocese in Ohio is like this, as is my aunt and uncle's in North Carolina.

It does have to do with both financial stability of the parishes and, frankly, the reality that some pastors are better than others. By requiring you to be a member of your assigned parish, it assures stability even during the tenure of priests who otherwise don't meet the spiritual needs of the parishoners.

after all, what's more important - propping up a mediocre priest or meeting the spiritual needs of the parishioners?

And of course, the assumption is that people will DO AS THEY ARE TOLD for the benefit of the Church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously this diocese is creepy conservative. Rank is literally how many kids you have. Yuk. Find another church. There are more relaxed ones and they don't mind if you attend. I don't think you mis-read the welcoming committee at all.

Yeah, isn't Elizabeth Foss associated with the Arlington diocese?