Are Plain Catholics Anabaptists?

[Wayne in Maine]

From what Max shares, and what is reflected on the oft-mentioned PC website, these are practicing Roman Catholics, not dissidents. To answer the topic’s subject line, PCs are not Anabaptist.

i’m unconcerned if there is 1 or 1000. or if the Vatican recognizes them or not.
they are practicing RC who like Amish clothing. right?

“They” are Max (and maybe Joyce Laird).

[Sudsy]

"Are Plain Catholics Anabaptists ?"

Simple answer, no. Anabaptists believe in believer's water baptism as a step of obedience by the believer being baptised. So, unless anyone who views themself as a 'Plain Catholic' and has been baptised as an Anabaptist believes, they cannot be considered 'Anabaptist'.

There are, however, similarities in both believer orthodoxy and orthopraxy that is found amongst Catholics to that of Conservative Mennonites. How many of these 'plain' believers there are, who knows.

And when it comes to orthopraxy there is quite a range of practice within Anabaptists. Anabaptism has a few uniform beliefs that some have called 'The Third Way' that gives them a distinction from Protestant or Catholic.

To me, what is more beneficial is to focus on what unites us more than what divides us as Christ followers and these threads MaxPC is creating that is coming from a Protestant source called 'Christ Our Holy Way' gives us opportunity to discuss what we do have in common.

Anyway, my 2 cents on the matter.

[MaxPC]

According to MaxPC, they are a “secret society” which operates underground. I know a few traditional Catholics and none of heard of them.

Good one, Josh. Sorry, I cannot share the secret handshake or the password.

Thank you for thinking of referring others. There is one thing you can ask them before you send any Catholics to the website for the purpose of contact: ask if they have a farm or ranch, and how long they have been farming or ranching. That is an integral part of our cultural identity along with the modesty.

If they just putter in a backyard of a suburb or city they would not fit into our culture. We separate ourselves from urban and suburban environments as well as mass media. We have worked farms and ranches for years and it can be a rather isolated life. If one is unaccustomed to coping without shopping centers or with periods of isolation they would not do well in our culture.

Max, You might have told me before, but if so, I don't recall. What is the status (as to official sponsorship, etc.) of the Catholic mission agency in Brazil known as C.I.M.I. (CONSELHO INDIGENISTA MISSIONÁRIO)?

Their own statement, translated into English:

Cimi is an organization linked to the CNBB (National Conference of Bishops of Brazil) that has been working in defense of the rights of the indigenous peoples of Brazil for 48 years.

What does 'linked' mean in the context of 'sponsorship' as you have used it here?

Neto, good question: Generally when the term "linked" is used, it means that there is a formal relationship with the Conference. I say generally. Does the term "linked" mean the same thing in Brazil as it does in English speaking countries (vis a vis organizational entities)? I trust your knowledge of South American bureaucratic descriptions.

I do not know enough about the Brazilian entities to be of more help: my apologies. If they are indeed an outreach and formal effort, then the entire CNBB would be their sponsor with a designated supervisor. Usually one of the Bishops or a Monsignor would be in charge of that supervision. If you have a need to be sure of their status, allow me to suggest contacting the CNBB and ask for the person who is in charge of their supervision. I daresay your Portuguese is far more fluent than mine. The extent of my Portuguese is that I know how to say "I hope your day is pleasant."

"Are Plain Catholics Anabaptists ?"

Simple answer, no. Anabaptists believe in believer's water baptism as a step of obedience by the believer being baptised. So, unless anyone who views themself as a 'Plain Catholic' and has been baptised as an Anabaptist believes, they cannot be considered 'Anabaptist'.

There are, however, similarities in both believer orthodoxy and orthopraxy that is found amongst Catholics to that of Conservative Mennonites. How many of these 'plain' believers there are, who knows.

And when it comes to orthopraxy there is quite a range of practice within Anabaptists. Anabaptism has a few uniform beliefs that some have called 'The Third Way' that gives them a distinction from Protestant or Catholic.

To me, what is more beneficial is to focus on what unites us more than what divides us as Christ followers and these threads MaxPC is creating that is coming from a Protestant source called 'Christ Our Holy Way' gives us opportunity to discuss what we do have in common.

Anyway, my 2 cents on the matter.

I like your 2 cents, Sudsy. It does refocus on the essentials. Allow me to add that thanks to all the cultures (both ethnic and religious) that embrace Catholicism, the orthopraxy can also be quite varied in Catholic World (outside of the Mass and even within the music of the Mass).

[Bootstrap]

To me, what is more beneficial is to focus on what unites us more than what divides us as Christ followers and these threads MaxPC is creating that is coming from a Protestant source called 'Christ Our Holy Way' gives us opportunity to discuss what we do have in common.

Anyway, my 2 cents on the matter.

I agree. And really, very few people on MN focus much on telling us about themselves. Talking about how best to live out the Kingdom of God here on earth is a lot more useful.

[ohio jones]

Thank you for thinking of referring others. There is one thing you can ask them before you send any Catholics to the website for the purpose of contact: ask if they have a farm or ranch, and how long they have been farming or ranching. That is an integral part of our cultural identity along with the modesty.

[MaxPC]

Thank you for thinking of referring others. There is one thing you can ask them before you send any Catholics to the website for the purpose of contact: ask if they have a farm or ranch, and how long they have been farming or ranching. That is an integral part of our cultural identity along with the modesty.

[ohio jones]

Max, is part-time "hobby" farming sufficient, or is full-time farming a cultural expectation?

[Josh]

That’s a strict Ordnung. Even the Amish allow their converts from the world to work in non farming occupations. One was a sausage maker, for example. Another one works at a truss factory.

[Josh]

Max, is part-time "hobby" farming sufficient, or is full-time farming a cultural expectation?

Sounds like they’re stricter than Farm Credit - better have your last 7 years of Schedule F’s ready to take to your interview.

[temporal1]

Max to Josh:
Thank you for thinking of referring others.
There is one thing you can ask them before you send any Catholics to the website for the purpose of contact: ask if they have a farm or ranch, and how long they have been farming or ranching.

That is an integral part of our cultural identity along with the modesty.

If they just putter in a backyard of a suburb or city they would not fit into our culture.

We separate ourselves from urban and suburban environments as well as mass media.
We have worked farms and ranches for years and it can be a rather isolated life.
If one is unaccustomed to coping without shopping centers or with periods of isolation they would not do well in our culture.

Honestly, Max, this describes quite an exclusive group.
After following your Campground Ramblings thread, and many other posts, it’s hard to imagine how you first found then managed to be accepted into this group/non-group. Your internet persona is gregarious and urban, well educated, employed, now retired??

But, no real matter to me.
i’m unlikely to cross paths with you .. i’m puzzled by your many Nazarene posts, i don’t object, the topics are often found on this forum, perhaps not as concisely presented as Lamar;
and very puzzled that you have not responded to Heirbyadoption’s invitation to meet.

But, it is what it is. i rely on admin/mods.

Recently, i was remembering one young woman on MD who dressed plainly.
She, her boyfriend and their baby lived in a school bus, “out West.” (i don’t recall her username, i might have some details wrong.) She was enthusiastic about being plain, a bit lonely, she seemed maybe a bit fuzzy on how babies+marriage work in CM communities .. ?? Probably others will remember better. She sewed her own bonnets. i wonder where they are now?