Oh yeah, the more threads you start, the less likely you'll be called to account in any given one, is that it?  The less likely you'll be spotted avoiding answering any questions directly.

Are you upset about something?

Heresy, schism, apostasy, and the sins I have committed in my life (all repented, however).

Quote from: Catholic Martyr

Oh yeah, the more threads you start, the less likely you'll be called to account in any given one, is that it?  The less likely you'll be spotted avoiding answering any questions directly.

Typically, any change in point or topic would justify a new thread, to keep conversation centred on the topic at hand.

Are you upset about something?

For the sake of understanding, were you raised Catholic?  Do your parents and grandparents consider themselves "Roman Catholics"?

Were you ever taught the Baltimore Chatechism in school?

Thanks.  I really am trying to understand, CM.

Baltimore Catechism?  No.

I was raised Novus Ordo.  I learned from the so-called "Catechism of the Catholic Church", of John Paul II.  I was completely mixed up.

Despite that, I felt a desire to become a priest, especially since every N.O. parish I went to was so irreverant, and I wanted to be an instrument of change for the honour of God.

I discovered EENS at the Dimonds website, and only there did I learn about sede vacante, and was convinced of the absolute necessity of water baptism and the complete submission of intellect and will, the assent of faith, one must give to the ex cathedra decrees.

Then I started looking for a place to become a Trad priest, met Sanborn, talked on the phone with him quite a bit, and gradually stopped believing in baptism of desire.  He even offered to let me come down to "Most Holy Trinity Seminary in Florida for free, as long as I would work it off.

I spent a good amount of time and energy in prayer at this point, fearing to do anything that would be contrary to God's will, and what happened was that despite my sincere desire to be a priest, I understood that baptism of desire IS heresy.

I discussed it with Sanborn, and I found that the only arguments he could bring to bear in support of BoD were easily refuted.

I followed the Dimonds again for a while, then I found R.I., who is seemingly insane (but I didn't realize it at the time) and felt like I was just about ready to despair after seeing his site for only a couple days!

Then a couple days after that, I found my friend's site (which is down at the moment), and read this on it:

Our Approach Is the Catholic Approach

 

 

Please understand that this website is not about us. It has nothing to do with what we have "figured out." This website is all about presenting the Catholic Faith, as handed down to us from the Apostles. This website is a testament to the mercy of God, because we certainly recognize that we are just fallible, sinful people. It is a testament to the mercy of God, because He has allowed sinful people such as ourselves to find the Truth in a world so enveloped in darkness.

 

We do not claim to hold any ecclesiastical authority. We hold no position in the Church, other than membership through our baptisms. By our postings on this website, we only hope to profess and teach the Catholic Faith, whole and inviolate. If we can be shown where Holy Mother Church teaches different from what we have presented here, we will immediately correct the information and publicly admit to our error.

 

We have posted cases against the Dimond brothers and Richard Ibryani after researching and then discussing these matters with them. They were unable to sufficiently address our objections, which are grounded in Church teaching. If you are Catholic, pray for their conversions and, just as important, warn others of their heresies and schisms. Sadly, the Dimond brother and Richard Ibranyi are leading vast numbers of souls to hell, and the errors of their teachings must be exposed.

 

We are committed to following the teachings of the Church, even if that means we are the last Catholics left on Earth. Although we pray and hope for the conversion of the world, we find little comfort in numbers. Jesus Christ, Himself, said, "When the Son of Man returns, will He, think ye, find Faith on Earth." It is by unanimous consent of the Church Fathers that few will be saved. We also recognize that each of us will stand alone on Judgment Day before the Almighty God and that the safety in numbers that some may have felt while on Earth, will be of no comfort when we are asked to make an accounting of our lives. Only the Catholic Faith, and not a consensus of persons, can provide us with any hope for salvation.

 

Our approach to finding God's Truth is none other than the Catholic approach that all the Faithful should following. First, we adhere to all the teachings of the Solemn Magisterium. Second, we adhere to all the teachings of the Ordinary and Universal Magisterium. Third, we consent to the teachings of the Ordinary Magisterium, understanding that these teachings, while reliable, are not guaranteed by God the Holy Ghost to be free of error. Fourth, we following the example and teachings of our great Church Fathers, Doctors, and Saints, realizing too that while these great men and women led extraordinary lives, they are not protected by infallibility either.

 

In short, we realize that there is One Who Is, and that there are many who are not. We are part of the many who are not. Therefore, our approach is not of our own creation. It is of God's, as divinely revealed through His Church and 2000 years of Catholic Tradition.

 

 

Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, Sess. 8, Nov. 22, 1439, ex cathedra: "Whoever wishes to be saved, needs above all to hold the Catholic Faith; unless each one preserves this whole and inviolate, he will without a doubt perish in eternity."

He and I hold all the same positions, along with a few other families that we know.

We recognize that without the sacrament of baptism, one cannot enter the Church, as it is written.  We also recognize that sacraments are not the only way by which a soul receives grace, but a good will serving God in the true faith and entreating His grace will receive it.

I can tell you with certainty that it is possible to avoid sin without the sacraments.  I used to commit all kinds of sins that I knew to be mortal when I thought I was receiving the sacraments, and now I have been free from those sins ever since I have taken up the position I now hold.

As Trent teaches, perfect contrition absolves of sin.  This is why daily examinations of conscience should be made.

Also, one can confess to the saints in heaven, if he or she cannot see a priest in the flesh.  Whether God counts this as a valid sacramental confession or not, I do not know, but I wouldn't be surprised if He does in certain cases of necessity.