I’ve been taking OCIA for about a month so far and I’ve really been enjoying learning about the Catholic faith. I mentioned to my OCIA teacher that I’m also a Freemason and he pulled me aside after class to let me know that Catholics can’t be Freemasons. While I understand the original decision in the 18th century during revolutionary times I can’t understand the current ruling on it. Masonry today is just a fraternal club that engages in charity work. I also know that there are Catholics who are masons and just don’t mention it to their priest. I believe the ban is based on misunderstandings of what masonry actually is. Am I allowed to disagree on this catechism?

hey guys i think i would want to be Catholic but i cant count out Orthodoxy because with some research I can see that Orthodoxy has been more consistent over time with their Divine Liturgy, although i do want to be Catholic, what are definitive reasons to be Catholic over Orthodox? God bless

This is a great video that for the most part is about how socialism may seem like a good idea but ultimately is against church teaching. However, for me, the most important part of it is when it talks about how it is perfectly within a good Catholic conscience to vote, basically democrat.

I have seen so many people lambasted for voting Democrat or Republican, being told they are not a real Catholic, told that it’s impossible to be a Catholic and vote blue or red etc. This video (at about the 22 minute mark) explains that the USCCB published a document in 2023 called Forming Consciences for Faithful Citzenship, that explains if you are voting for a political party that endorses evil such as abortion, but also endorses many policies that are good (focus education, focus on healthcare, focus on the poor, anti death penalty) then it is perfectly fine for you to vote for them in good conscience as long as you are voting for the good things and not the bad things.

Now of course this goes both ways, you can vote Republican because you want to protect life via anti abortion but still be against the death penalty and ICE. Basically my point is, you can vote either way and still be a good Catholic. So don’t let judgment of others stop you from following your conscience and your faith.

Key paragraph:

A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who favors a policy promoting an intrinsically evil act, such as abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, deliberately subjecting workers or the poor to sub-human living conditions, redefining marriage in ways that violate its essential meaning, or racist behavior, if the voter’s intent is to support that position.

In such cases, a Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in grave evil. At the same time, a voter should not use a candidate’s opposition to an intrinsic evil to justify indifference or inattentiveness to other important moral issues involving human life and dignity.

Document link:
https://www.usccb.org/resources/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship-pdf

YouTube link:
https://youtu.be/_dYTtuZZfcw?is=4x2n3NBcK0yPn49Y

There was an image from a sister that I shared to social that said along the lines of “you’re not pro life if you advocate for the birth of a child but do everything you can to prevent helping that mom or child after. That makes you pro birth”

The conservatives and older people in my friends felt necessary to go on about making adoption easier and that abortion is murder. I tried stating that’s not the point of the post and then I was accused of bringing no solutions to any problem and my post was just asking for attention.

Am I taking crazy pills by being confused on what these people are saying?? I believe in the dignity of the unborn child since the moment of conception. Are they say radicalized in such a pro choice world that anything that touches the topic must be in favor of abortion??

I’m a new catholic, I was a non denominational/baptist evangelical, I’m losing faith in the whole Christian thing though,

1. Why would a god that’s ALL LOVING, would send someone to hell to burn for eternity, I get sin but why would finite sins lead to infinite punishment that’s not all loving,

2nd if god wants everyone to be saved why not make a obvious sign outside of scripture, why not give one ultimate sign.

3rd why create beings that never asked to be created just to send them to hell because they didn’t pick the right religion out of the hundreds of religions they are,

4th if god is all powerful why not prevent evil and before anyone says free will if he’s all powerful can’t he stop evil without taking someone’s free will,

5th why are there people and kids starving? In other countries and let’s say those people are Muslims or any other religion so they suffered like hell on earth starving and getting killed but then have to suffer in hell?,

6th why do many Christian’s say they believe but are evil?,

7 why would god create this whole
Universe but no aliens? What’s the point of creating a universe that’s so big that we can’t even comprehend it, why this big universe, why wipe out the dinosaurs, why do genetic diseases exist if god made humans perfect then we should have perfect dna no genetic diseases, no cancer , no Down syndrome or autism’s.

8th why do most not all believe the religion of their parents or environment? They believe what they were taught as a child or born into.

9th why Dosent god stop tornados, hurricane , and natural disasters from happening,

10th last and final thing why do I feel depressed no matter how much I ask god “please lord let me feel free and happy” it doesn’t work.

Supposedly someone sins or just consciously rejects God in such a way that that their heart is hardened from God forever. I have a hard time believing that a person that does this when they think of hell, are unable to generate a repentant heart. I know God’s grace is no longer working in them, and they can’t do it. However practically I just don’t know if we ever see that in the real world. I’ve never heard of someone not really being able to repent. I’ve seen posts on Reddit of people saying they think they committed the unforgiveable sin, and even though they don’t really feel sorry for what they done in the moment, I feel like them posting that is a crying out for help. A sign of a hear that can repent at some point. Idk I’m confused. I want to take this seriously. I just don’t know if there has ever been any real life examples of people of having ever done so. It makes me think that the unforgivable sin is more like a technicality. Like a person that is in faith and finally has had enough, walks away to live a sinful life, he “blasphemed the Spirit” only in the sense that he never returned to God

Also I’m confused about Hebrews 6 which refers to people being once enlightened and falling away, and never being able to repent.

I feel like this relates to the unforgivable sin. It’s held that if someone that rejects the faith to go live a carnal life but returns eventually never really blasphemed the Spirit if they can genuinely repent.

However from Paul’s understanding in Hebrews 6, didn’t they “fall away”. And if so, how can it be that they can repent?

Anyway that all, any clarification would be much appreciated

Protestants are TWICE as likely to say religion is important, go to mass weekly, pray daily, and read the bible. In my experience they are more welcoming of converts and want everyone to be born again. People wonder why protestantism is rising in Guatemala and Brazil but it seems like they are the main ones building a community and taking the faith seriously.

Converting to catholicism is a struggle and part of it is seeing how much it seems to be failing. When 50% of "Catholics" are the christian version of secular Jews. "It's my culture, but I don't really believe in it/believe what the church believes.

If the Catholic church is supposed to use it's centralized authority to promote the faith and her teachings, it's doing a terrible awful job at it. It can't even make its own body care about the faith.

The news lately has been filling me with sadness. The public execution news is making me sick. How can we as Catholic’s stay positive even when negative news is going on the world. Do we block it out? Just pray? Talk to others? I’m scared for the world’s future.

I recently read a post on someone who got a vasectomy and was feeling like he couldn't join the church because of it. Got me thinking on the matter. I would love someone's take who knows more then I do on the matter.

Contraceptives are not allowed in the church, but natural practices to prevent children are allowed. Even though the intentions are the exact same why is one allowed but not the other?

I used to be an Oriental Orthodox (Ethiopian Orthodox) Christian but I left my religion when I was in high school. Since then, I have been a deist and a progressive Christian and now I consider myself agnostic. Recently, I have been exploring Edward Feser's arguments and Thomist literature, which I am still trying to fully understand and I am always open to changing my mind if I find an argument convincing
Looking back, I realize I was never truly religious, even when I was Orthodox but when I read the Gospels, I was completely immersed. I don't know why, but I have always sought an egalitarian society where love, equality, and minimal suffering triumph. Because of this, I find Christ’s teachings overwhelmingly relatable and filled with explanatory power, which is why I suppose I identify as an agnostic Christian.
When I do some research on Catholic teachings I found the Church is not as progressive as I had hoped instead, it is very traditional in its rules( the reason I thought Catholic Church was progressive is because of pope Francis) This leads to my question, Can someone be Catholic and also embrace progressive beliefs? I can’t fathom living a life where everything I do is considered a sin, or constantly worrying that I am living sinfully. How can a Catholic embrace humor, modern art, literature, existential pondering, contemporary culture, challenging authority, having fun and freedom? Are these two worlds completely separate, or can a Catholic truly embrace everything I mentioned?

I find it odd how alot of Christian’s think Russia is this bastion of Christianity because the goverment imposes a level of social Christian morality I’ve talked to Russians and looked at statistics church attendance is lower, HIV rates are higher, the people themselves may be culturally Christian but don’t really practice it in reality the women and women are having premarital sex and living like people in the west. something that people gloss over is they think because the Russian goverment doesn’t allow some degeneracy that Russia is moral however Russias degeneracy is imperialism and a complete disregard for human life. I’ve cried over some videos of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers dying in the war it’s heartbreaking theres been news articles and videos on X showing people from Africa and Asia being offered jobs in Russia then they are forced to sign a military contract and are treated like cannon fodder ik there’s alot of propaganda on both sides but even Russian military channels know the death toll and disregard for human life it would be nice to see this satanic goverment fall and see Russia consecrated to the Virgin Mary as Russia has potential but instead it’s destroying itself physically and spiritually I saw this Canadian family going to Russia because Canada promoted LGBTQ yes that’s bad but what’s worse turn ur tv or your phone off of have your sons conscripted to the war just to be blown up by a drone within 30 minutes on the front and there’s instances where some people in rural Russia are individually forced to sign contracts against there will essentially forced conscription

I met a guy who I like who is making a lot of effort for me. We are both cradle Catholics, we are both single parents with full custody of our children. But I did find out that he had been married twice before… both marriages were courthouse weddings and civil ceremonies, no valid church weddings from my understanding. The first marriage was legally annulled. Is it worth pursuing a relationship? I’ve never been married and it is my desire to be married in the Catholic Church someday. It is early on in the relationship, but I am curious as to what this would entail, and if there’s a future or if I should just cut my losses before I get involved and search for someone who has never been married.

I had one three years ago and don’t regret it. Why? Well, for one thing, I just don’t want kids. Point blank period. Never had the desire for being a father. And I got the procedure because I wanted some peace of mind knowing that, if I eventually find myself with a woman and use protection, the likelihood of an accidental pregnancy is extremely low.

And yet, the Church considers this a permanent form of contraception. Could I get it reversed? Yes. But a) these aren’t very effective and b) I just don’t want to. I have no regrets over it, like I said.

But given this, would this bar me from becoming a full fledged member of the Church, since I’m deliberately going against something the Church forbids? Or would the priest or bishop or whomever is really in charge of getting me confirmed not really care and just cares about who I am as a person and how I plan to live my life?

I’ve been reading about the Catholic Church’s relationship with Judaism, particularly Nostra Aetate, Romans 11:28–29, and the Vatican’s 2015 document The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable. I’m having trouble understanding some of the theological implications.

From what I understand, the Church teaches that God’s covenant with the Jewish people has never been revoked and that they continue to have a unique relationship with God.

My first question is what that actually means in practice. If Jews and Gentiles are equally loved by God, and salvation ultimately comes through Christ for everyone, what does this special covenantal relationship mean for Jewish people today? Does it confer any particular spiritual privileges or promises, or is it primarily a recognition of their unique role in salvation history?

I’m also curious about who exactly constitutes the “Jewish people” in this context. Is it based on ancestry, religious identity, or both? Would an atheist with Jewish ancestry still be included? What about someone with only one Jewish parent, or someone with no Jewish ancestry who converts to Judaism? Does the Church have an actual definition of who belongs to this continuing covenant?

Finally, I understand that the Vatican’s 2015 document says the Church does not conduct or support a specific institutional mission aimed at converting Jews. But if the Church also teaches that salvation comes through Jesus Christ, I’m struggling to understand why Jews would be approached differently from other non-Christians. Does their covenantal relationship with God somehow change their need for conversion or how their salvation is understood?

I’m genuinely interested in understanding how Catholics reconcile these teachings. I understand that the Jewish people have a unique historical relationship with God, but I’m trying to understand what it means for that relationship to remain active today, rather than simply being an important part of the past.

I feel like God hates us. I constantly struggle with the burden that I will possibly go to hell. I cannot stop lusting; I feel attracted to both men and women, and I hate myself. The idea of going to hell haunts me.

Genuinely curious, not trying to rage-bait or stir up controversy. Please feel free to delete this if it violates any community rules. I think the question itself is clear and I am honestly unsure from a Catholic theological perspective.

I converted from being a Methodist, and after a lot of deep study and prayer, I decided to pursue Catholicism. I’m currently going through catechism. But to be completely honest, I am finding it so hard to stay motivated.

First, it is so antisocial. In Protestant churches I'm used to people actually talking to you, welcoming visitors, and hanging out. I made so many friends in my Methodist church.

At Catholic Mass, people roll in right as it starts, sit in total silence, and then sprint to their cars the second it ends. Nobody talks to anyone. Nobody even looks at anyone.

Second, the vibe from some cradle Catholics is exhausting. They can be downright mean to converts.It’s wild to me how much some cradle Catholics look down on converts, considering how many of them are completely lukewarm or barely practicing themselves. I've literally seen "vert" used as an insult. The word convert -- is an insult. Why would anyone want to convert to a religion where they're looked down on for not being born into it? What?

I used to always ask why Catholicism is dying out to Protestantism in places like Guatemala and Brazil but i think the answer is simple. Protestants are actually nice. They are nice and welcoming and they build a community and invite you into it.

In my experience, Catholics can be very unwelcoming, antisocial, and they look down on you.

Hello I am a Catholic convert that was originally born in a Muslim-majority country. I moved to a Western country about 20+ years ago as a child with my parents and converted earlier this year. We came legally, are working, and have integrated. My family both here and in the country that I was born in are secular, and I have had no issues with them knowing my faith.

With that said, I have become increasingly scared regarding the political situation. I am seeing many political parties and movements come up that are calling for mass deportations some of them connected to extreme movements and they specifically target those from Muslim countries. For the past while this has resulted in a lot of anxiety for me (I should mention that I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder). I am so worried about what will happen in the future. I have tried to unburden myself and leave my worries with the Lord as the Scripture tells us but my mind still keeps thinking. Similarly, Lord Jesus teaches us to focus on today’s troubles instead of worrying about the future…but my mind does not turn off. Needless to say I have not slept well and am becoming physically strained.

I keep thinking what would happen if a radical movement comes to power that strips my Citizenship and sends me to a country that, outside of birth and a few family members, I have little connection to (and I would lose my friends, living standards, my livelihood, and freedoms). I worry also because in my birth country conversion is not legal, so how would i practice my Faith and partake in the sacraments (I pray for all those in that situation, since my country of birth has many Christian converts ; though not many are Catholics ) and what if the authorities somehow find out. I am praying yet always worried. I am hoping some of my worries will be assuaged so I can rest easy.

I keep thinking of the courage St. Paul had as he wrote letters while he was imprisoned and likely knowing he would be executed. Similarly, St. Thomas More displayed immense strength by sticking with his Faith despite being imprisoned and later burned. I have not had anything even close to what these went through happen (and I truly pray I don’t suffer like they did because I don’t think I could withstand it), yet I am crumbling thinking of what might happen. I know one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is courage, yet I am weak and trembling in constant fear even though many say the scenarios I think of are unlikely and nothing has happened. I am on edge all the time waiting for the other show to drop, with my mind constantly making up the worse possible scenarios. Please pray for me and please pray for others in the world who are anxious, overwhelmed, and those of our Faith in nations where they cannot easily/safely practice.

For the past four years, I have observed a recurring phenomenon involving a political figure from my country who also holds a religious position: whenever I think about a specific topic, I find him speaking about it. The context here is that I studied my religion and became almost entirely convinced that it is flawed—citing issues such as scientific inaccuracies in texts that purport to offer precise explanations, among other matters. Yet, regarding this figure from my former faith, whenever a topic crosses my mind, I find him addressing it. Incidentally, his followers believe he holds a divine religious status, even though available evidence indicates that his leadership circle is implicated in political corruption.