Why NAVIGATE Betrayal is Catholic


Faithful to Magisterium

NAVIGATE Betrayal was created from a Catholic Perspective.  Although we are Roman Catholic in origin and outlook, we are ecumenical in our outreach and do welcome those from other faith traditions to join NAVIGATE Betrayal.  The content of NAVIGATE Betrayal seeks to be faithful to the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church.  The Magisterium is the official teaching authority of the Church.  The concept of the magisterium is based on Jesus’ promise, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth.” John 14:16-17.  To ensure that the teachings in NAVIGATE are in line with the Catholic Church, we have submitted the content to obtain an Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat. The “Nihil Obstat” and “Imprimatur” are official declarations that the content is free of doctrinal or moral error.  NAVIGATE Betrayal’s companion program for the betraying spouse, RECLAIM Sexual Health, already has been granted an Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat. 



Catholic Perspective

The uniqueness of the Catholic perspective, especially in the areas of morality and ethics is not just about following a set of rules, but it offers a vision of a larger context of how to live our relationship with God and neighbor. When Jesus was asked to sum up the moral law, He focused on loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as Christ loved us. (Matthew 22:36-39)  

When it comes to life, love, and relationship issues, Catholics have a unique vision even among other Christians.  Many denominations do not have teachings to explain God’s will in relationship to fertility, sexuality, and marriage. We are blessed with Saint Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body teachings and the many leaders who have helped spread its message.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives clear teachings on tough and sensitive topics.  NAVIGATE Betrayal will address these issues with the certainty of our Catholic faith. 

Although resources, support groups and programs from secular or other faith tradition resources may be helpful in many ways, they often lack the full sustenance of a true Catholic based platform.  We do include insights in NAVIGATE Betrayal from people who are not Catholic, but assure you that the segments we use are in line with the Magisterium. 




Truth 

Pope Benedict XVI taught that one of the biggest challenges to faith in the modern world is relativism – the view that there is no moral or religious truth to which we are all accountable.  Our culture promotes tolerance for a variety of beliefs and behaviors.  Relativism has emerged as a dictator in our current society attempting to push out the Catholic Christian belief in truth.  Our culture no longer believes in any moral standard.  Even many Christian religions have lost their moral compass.  Thus, we found it necessary to create this program from a strong Catholic perspective.  The Catholic Church has a counter-cultural outlook that NAVIGATE Betrayal believes offers the best guidance for healing from betrayal trauma and establishing moral behavior that is in line with God’s will. 

 


Made for Relationship

Living our relationships well is crucial for a successful life because human persons are made for friendship.  This can be seen in the first chapter of the Bible: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" (Gen. 1:26).  Notice how God uses the first-person plural: "Let us make man in our image and likeness, after our likeness."  Christians have seen in this an early hint of the three Persons of the Trinity.  And this tells us a lot about our lives.  Since God exists as a communion of three divine Persons giving themselves completely in love to each other, the fact that we are made in the image of that God – not some vague supernatural "higher power," but the Triune God – tells us we are meant to live like the Trinity.  We are made for communion with others.  We are made for relationships of self-giving love, so that our lives might truly reflect the Trinity in whose image we were created. (Dr. Edward Sri – Author of Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love: Practical Insights from John Paull’s Love and Responsibility. Copyright 2011) 



Faith and Reason

The Catholic Church sees a harmony between faith and reason while some religions see conflict.  Therefore, we incorporate science that upholds Church teaching.  NAVIGATE Betrayal and RECLAIM Sexual Health provide a bridge between faith and reason that includes century old devotions and cutting-edge science both proclaiming the same message. 

To experience true healing, a deeper truth must be included and received through the curative aspects of faith.  NAVIGATE Betrayal integrates facets of the Catholic religion to strengthen participants' relationship with God, the Communion of Saints, their parish community, and the universal Church.  All participants in NAVIGATE Betrayal and RECLAIM Sexual Health are lifted up in prayer by over 100 religious communities of nuns who have made a written commitment to pray daily for you. That power of prayer is not only understood from a faith perspective, but science has given us data to show that it comes from a scientific point of view, too! 



Biblically Based 

NAVIGATE Betrayal encourages participants to engage in faith practices such as reading scripture, praying the rosary, praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, making novenas, fasting, making a Holy Hour, and a dedication to a Catholic sacramental life with frequent use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and regular participation in the Holy Mass.  These are powerful Catholic tools towards healing.  

In Catholic doctrine, we believe the Bible is the word of God, but do not view it literally as some Christians proclaim. NAVIGATE helps participants understand the message of such things as in Ephesians 5:22-24 where women are told to be submissive to their husbands. Some Christians believe that means the wife is to be lowly and subservient. What is often left out of that message is the rest of the passage!  It commands a husband to love his wife as Christ loves the Church. That means giving himself up for her, “nourishing and cherishing her.” (Ephesians 5:25- 29)  It also states that Christ sacrificed his life for the Church and continues to build it up. This commands husbands to be subject to the requirements of love and self-sacrifice.  Thus, the husbands have a more sacrificial duty than the wives. 

 


You're Not Alone

The Catholic Church gives us great insight into the importance of mentors, coaches, and guides.  Much of that is based on Luke’s gospel account of the Annunciation and Visitation.  When the Angel Gabriel tells Mary God’s plan for her to become pregnant by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, she is afraid.  She is afraid because unwed pregnant women in Mary’s time were often stoned to death.  We know she is frightened because the Angel tells her not to be afraid.  Immediately after that command he gives her the greatest gift the God of the Universe could give her.  Do you know what it was?  It was another woman who would understand!  The angel tells Mary about Elizabeth, her kinswoman, who is pregnant in her old age, because "nothing is impossible with God!"  

Mary knew Elizabeth was barren and according to cultural practices should have been killed, but Zechariah safeguarded her life.  This witness gave Mary hope that her life would also be spared by Joseph.  Elizabeth being pregnant at an advanced age gave Mary the help she needed to believe in the special situation of her own pregnancy.  This gift of another person who would understand provided healing of her fears and she agreed to God’s plan. 

Just as Mary needed assurance that she wasn’t alone, so do all of us.  NAVIGATE Betrayal is designed to offer you companionship on your healing journey by other women who truly understand.  The power of the Holy Spirit was revealed in the common sharing of Mary and Elizabeth.  It will also be revealed as you share with faith-filled women in NAVIGATE Betrayal.  Following the example of Mary and Elizabeth, we will share the sacredness of your healing journey.

Any NAVIGATE Betrayal or Parent/Affiliated Company programs, information, consultation, coaching, resources, or projects should not be construed as an attempt to offer or render any legal or medical opinions, or otherwise engage in the practice of law or medicine, or any other health care disciplines.

NAVIGATE Betrayal is a program of Elizabeth Ministry International.

© 2022 Elizabeth Ministry International. All rights reserved.