Thanks for writing this! Of course I had to do a deep dive down the Ordinariate FAQ to figure out how a Catholic priest could be marrried. I do have a question re. Catechism and other faith traditions with a Catechism. What would you say is the distinction between Protestant catechisms like the Book of Concord, Luther’s Small Catechism and the Westminster Catechism? We definitely experienced the lack of cohesion in the Anglican Church, and then we’re still seeing that in the confessional Lutheran church to some degree (like the stance on closed communion being variable between churches). But I guess I’m wondering how much of that is a lack of strict confession and how much is a function of the people who are administering it. And perhaps what it boils down to is that no one but the Catholic Church is willing to say you must do x,y,z and so no one else can say, you’re NOT doing x,y,z. Is Protestantism just gentle parenting for very strong willed children who actually need firm boundaries? 😅😂 (but really, I think the comparison might be apt).
"Is Protestantism just gentle parenting for very strong willed children who actually need firm boundaries?" ...Oh man, I love that analogy, Annelise. In some ways — yes. At. least in my experience!
I'm no expert or scholar, but my guess is that on the actual details within those Catechisms, the details are 95% the same. That was actually a surprise to me in my discernment period: Anglicanism is super, super close to Catholicism! Which is why, I'm guessing, the Vatican saw it fitting to create the Ordinariate for Anglicans—because they're basically there already, save for the acknowledgement of unity and authority found in Rome. (We frequently called becoming Catholic through the Ordinariate "the Disney Fast Pass of the Catholic Church").
The difference within these catechisms, ultimately, comes down to "Says who?" about each of them. Were they written by people with any valid, Christ-ordinained authority? Or were they written by Jesus-loving people who mean well, but are admittedly outside the line of apostolic succession to have such authority to say what the Church believes? I'm still ruminating on this, but this is my instinctual response as someone who needs her second cup of coffee and has a class to teach in an hour. 😉
(Oh, and yes... many priests within the Ordinariate are married because many of them—maybe most of them?—are also converts.)
Yes, and some Catholic rites allow married priests, too. The Roman Catholic rite doesn't, generally speaking (the Ordinariate is an exception, and there are also occasional case-by-case exceptions), but the Eastern ones (like the Ukrainian rite) often do. All are part of the same Catholic church headed by the Pope in Rome.
But usually Bishops are not allowed to be married, I think?
They really do! Several years into being Catholic now, I feel like us converts can provide unique insight to the Church re: how we can become more palatable and inviting to Protestants. I mean, it's dishonest to say that Protestants don't do a better job at meeting people's genuine needs, from theological to relational. (Which is one of the reasons I love our parish so much — I feel like we do a good job with both... a rarity).
This is beautiful! I’m a cradle Catholic who already had a pretty solid understanding of church teaching, but prior to last year I had only ever consulted the Catechism as a sort of encyclopedia. The Catechism in a Year Podcast opened my eyes to what a truly beautiful book the Catechism is - not dry and technical, in spite of its detail, but overflowing with the core truth of God’s love for us. As Father Mike would say, it’s such a gift.
Thanks for writing this! Of course I had to do a deep dive down the Ordinariate FAQ to figure out how a Catholic priest could be marrried. I do have a question re. Catechism and other faith traditions with a Catechism. What would you say is the distinction between Protestant catechisms like the Book of Concord, Luther’s Small Catechism and the Westminster Catechism? We definitely experienced the lack of cohesion in the Anglican Church, and then we’re still seeing that in the confessional Lutheran church to some degree (like the stance on closed communion being variable between churches). But I guess I’m wondering how much of that is a lack of strict confession and how much is a function of the people who are administering it. And perhaps what it boils down to is that no one but the Catholic Church is willing to say you must do x,y,z and so no one else can say, you’re NOT doing x,y,z. Is Protestantism just gentle parenting for very strong willed children who actually need firm boundaries? 😅😂 (but really, I think the comparison might be apt).
"Is Protestantism just gentle parenting for very strong willed children who actually need firm boundaries?" ...Oh man, I love that analogy, Annelise. In some ways — yes. At. least in my experience!
I'm no expert or scholar, but my guess is that on the actual details within those Catechisms, the details are 95% the same. That was actually a surprise to me in my discernment period: Anglicanism is super, super close to Catholicism! Which is why, I'm guessing, the Vatican saw it fitting to create the Ordinariate for Anglicans—because they're basically there already, save for the acknowledgement of unity and authority found in Rome. (We frequently called becoming Catholic through the Ordinariate "the Disney Fast Pass of the Catholic Church").
The difference within these catechisms, ultimately, comes down to "Says who?" about each of them. Were they written by people with any valid, Christ-ordinained authority? Or were they written by Jesus-loving people who mean well, but are admittedly outside the line of apostolic succession to have such authority to say what the Church believes? I'm still ruminating on this, but this is my instinctual response as someone who needs her second cup of coffee and has a class to teach in an hour. 😉
(Oh, and yes... many priests within the Ordinariate are married because many of them—maybe most of them?—are also converts.)
Yes, and some Catholic rites allow married priests, too. The Roman Catholic rite doesn't, generally speaking (the Ordinariate is an exception, and there are also occasional case-by-case exceptions), but the Eastern ones (like the Ukrainian rite) often do. All are part of the same Catholic church headed by the Pope in Rome.
But usually Bishops are not allowed to be married, I think?
I believe you're correct, Dixie. It can get complicated!
Amen to the part about RCIA! They need a special track for "Already an informed Christian - please just explain the weird Catholic stuff."
They really do! Several years into being Catholic now, I feel like us converts can provide unique insight to the Church re: how we can become more palatable and inviting to Protestants. I mean, it's dishonest to say that Protestants don't do a better job at meeting people's genuine needs, from theological to relational. (Which is one of the reasons I love our parish so much — I feel like we do a good job with both... a rarity).
This is beautiful! I’m a cradle Catholic who already had a pretty solid understanding of church teaching, but prior to last year I had only ever consulted the Catechism as a sort of encyclopedia. The Catechism in a Year Podcast opened my eyes to what a truly beautiful book the Catechism is - not dry and technical, in spite of its detail, but overflowing with the core truth of God’s love for us. As Father Mike would say, it’s such a gift.
It really is! And it's actually beautifully written, as you say, so it's not a dry read in the slightest.