Conflict

I wouldn't get into it with him, honestly. You don't know what he's going through or what he's discussed with his SF. People who are struggling with faith issues usually don't want to feel judged and it can actually make matters worse. Since he's your friend you have to use your own judgment, but my tendency would be to pray for him and stay out of it.

Former atheist here.

Don't say a thing. It's not your business unless your friend makes it your business, in which case you should definitely feel free to speak your mind. Until that point, though, your input probably isn't wanted. (Just being brutal here. )

I think that's your priest's responsibility more than yours.

Oh boy, this thread could get ugly...

Talk to your priest about it in confidence. That's all you need to do. But please don't talk to your friend about it directly. You never know what pressure he might be under.

Apophatic80 said:

What about protecting the Eucharist? Isn't that partly my responsibility?

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That is the responsibility of the priest, not yours. You will do so much damaged and no good by approaching this person uninvited.

If you're a close enough friend to this person where it wouldn't be out of line, you could consider talking to him, not confrontationally, but saying something along the lines of, "Hey, I noticed you've changed your religious views on facebook, though I still see you at church and you take communion and all that, what's up?" Conversationally, not as an accusation. If you don't have the kind of relationship where it might be "normal" to say such a thing, it's probably not your place to bring it up.

Personally, I am with Coralie on this one. Talk to the priest about it. Let him deal with it. It might also cause him to seek out your friend and fellow parishioner, so that they can talk out your friend's problems and help him.

Apophatic80 said:

What about protecting the Eucharist? Isn't that partly my responsibility?

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Protecting the Eucharist? Christ will be fine. There is nothing WE can do to vanquish Christ.

I agree with those who say to leave it alone.

The worst advice I ever gave a friend was the following:

A good friend of mine came to me a long time ago and told me she was having doubts about God, His existence, etc... I told her that we all struggle with our faith and different times and in different ways (so far, so good). But then I told her (and I am mortified that I said this) not to go to the Eucharist. Who in the world was I to ever say that?! I am not using hyperbole here at all when I say that that is the worst advice I ever gave in my life. Nothing else came close to it. I want to apologize to her for ever having said that. Now, fortunately I don't think she relied on my every word and she had and continues to have many close spiritual friends including her priest, so I don't think my advice stuck with her long.. but what an offense to God. If anything, doubts are a time when one needs the Eucharist more than any other time.

You don't know where this person is. A facebook status is nothing. It's silly. He's working through things. This is for HIM to bring up with his priest on his own.

AT THE MOST, tell your priest about this without naming the person. Say something like "what if I know a person who is claiming to be an atheist (don't mention facebook) but still goes to the Eucharist... should I bring it up to their priest?" He's going to know you are probably talking about someone at your parish.

If he says yes, then bring it up, tell him it was on facebook and leave it at that.

Josh

Apophatic80 said:

I am not going to approach him.

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good.

And I can see gzt's advice assuming you are close enough friends.

if it is a real concern for you, I would agree with most on here that say to quietly and lovingly talk to your priest.

Wow! Lots of love wisdom and support happening here. Very touching to see ...

Don't forget that if you still have your doubts to pray for him if you are concerned.