Catholics and the Care Net Statement of Faith

For many years, Priests for Life has had a fruitful working relationship with Care Net and its leaders across the country. The question as to whether Roman Catholics, in good conscience, can sign the Care Net Statement of Faith has at times been raised, particularly because of the statement's assertion that the Bible is the only infallible and authoritative Word of God. This matter has been a cause of mutual concern on the part of the leaders of Priests for Life and Care Net, and we have had very productive discussions on the matter over the years.

Catholic teaching indeed acknowledges that Scripture is inerrant, and that no doctrine is ever to be believed that is at variance with Scripture. (See Vatican II, Dei Verbum). While Christians disagree about how the ways in which the Word of God is preserved and proclaimed throughout the centuries, it is not the point of the Statement of Faith to place volunteers on one or another side of those disagreements, but rather to assert together our common adherence to the Word of God as found in the Bible.

Particularly in opposing the unbiblical and ungodly attack on life manifested through abortion, Christians find clear and common cause in which to stand and fight a common enemy. Moreover, we all realize that the closer people come to Christ, the less likely they will be to give in to the temptation to kill their own children. To proclaim Christ to a Culture of Death is, indeed, a task for Christians of every denomination.

Given these facts, and given the contents of the Statement of Faith Clarification for Roman Catholics (below), it is clear to me that signing the Care Net Statement of Faith and working in Care Net centers is something that Catholics can do in good conscience, and, furthermore, should do with the eagerness and joy that marks the followers of Christ.

Fr. Frank Pavone

National Director, Priests for Life

Statement of Faith Clarification for Roman Catholics

Care Net takes the position that believing Roman Catholics who are committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be allowed to serve within its affiliated centers without being required in any manner to compromise their beliefs in official Roman Catholic doctrine. Care Net, through its founder and former board chair, Dr. Harold O.J. Brown, has issued an interpretation of its Statement of Faith (see attached) declaring that the expression "only infallible Word of God" as contained in the Care Net Statement of Faith is not intended to contradict Roman Catholic doctrine concerning tradition and papal infallibility. This interpretation by Care Net further declares that "believing Roman Catholics should not feel that agreement to work within the guidelines of the Care Net Statement of Faith involves any prejudice to official Roman Catholic statements concerning specific points of Roman Catholic doctrine."

I have agreed to the Care Net Statement of Faith subject to the understandings stated above:

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Statement of Faith

1 We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.

2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.

4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential, and that this salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and not as a result of good works.

5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life and to perform good works.

6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.