15 and want to convert

[AlanTaylor]

I am 15 and have found the Catholic church to be the one true church and would like to convert. However my parents are hesitant about letting me because of the abuse scandal that the church suffered from. How would I go about converting ( like RCIA) and how can I convince my prodistant parents that not all priests are child molesters?

 

[adamhovey1988]

Ask them what evidence they have that the abuse cases are any higher in the Catholic Church than in Protestant ones. I was actually listening to Catholic Answers live and the caller basically just might up a number. THEY are making the accusation, they are the ones with the assertion, the burden of proof is on THEM.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Ask them what evidence they have that the abuse cases are any higher in the Catholic Church than in Protestant ones. I was actually listening to Catholic Answers live and the caller basically just might up a number. THEY are making the accusation, they are the ones with the assertion, the burden of proof is on THEM.

Actually, I’d take quite the opposite tact…not to decry others as “worse” but to fully acknowledge what occurred was indefensible and abhorrent. I would then point to the many steps the Holy Church takes today to prevent crimes, including mandatory volunteer training, children not being allowed alone with a priest or volunteer, the support groups set up at many churches, the diocesan level staff who deal with the past and present claims of abuse, etc.

As a parent, the last thing I’d want to hear is “well those people are worse”. My children will not play (American) football because of the very real concussion danger. I would not respect, at all, if they said they wanted to because, well, boxing is worse.

 

[Trishie]

VDear Alan, if God has inspired you to convert, God will give you the necessary graces.
Your parents may be generally uncomfortable that you wish to become Catholic, and the abuse by a small percentage, against many who are good, and even Holy priests, may be the most emotional kind of argument they can bring against the Church at this time.

Consider the first to become Jesus ministers /priests, the apostles of Jesus.
One of the 12 proved to be a traitor.
He actually brough about Jesus arrest, torture, and His murder.
One of 12 is a high percentage failure, even at the beginning of the Church.

Sadly, amongst Christians of any denomination there are likely to be traitors.
Even one who spent at least two years in Jesus company, heard His words, saw His goodness, witnessed His miracles.
And all of Jesus first priests fled at the time He most needed them, and the one to whom He gave the keys, lied about even knowing Him. Only John returned to the foot of His cross, regardless of his own safety.

Human weakness of apostles, His first priests, did not make Jesus’ truths untrue, including the crimes of Judas, or the sins of the others.
God’s truth is God’s truth, despite our sins and doubts.

May the Holy Spirit remain with you to guide, inspire, and give you strength.
May God bless your dear parents, who wish to protect their precious son and who love you.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Alan, I just posted on another thread.

I am in one of the most notorious Diocese globally for historical institutional sexual child abuse.

We have learnt

Discuss it
Don’t hide it
Admit and acknowledge it happened
Discuss the supports for survivors and their families
Discuss the crime, trials and punishment.

Most of all for you at 15,

Discuss the protocols now in place, and being implemented, so it never happens again.

In my Diocese this includes criminal and working with children checks, open confessionals, open door policies, and many more things,

I will be praying for you. And your parents. They have a right to be concerned, given the media coverage, but they also need a balanced perspective.

 

[misstherese]

Protestant clergy sexual abuse is actually more prevalent than in the Catholic Church; the Catholic Church is just an easy target (since it’s so large and unified) and makes for good news.

However, there is no excuse for it. I would agree on noting the steps the Church has taken to tackle the issue. The Church is run by man, but it is guided by the divine. It has lasted for 2,000 years and will last until the end of time. Though there may be tough times in the Church, that is always due to human error. The supernatural aspect of it will always make sure the cornerstones of the faith are intact.

 

[Trishie]

Alan, regarding protection of priests and religious instead of vulnerable innocents that occurred in some dioceses.

I suspect that the hidden response, to counsel the offender, and to assume that the offender had ‘learned his lesson and would reform’, was in tune with the fact that the psychology of a pedophile or abuser was less well generally understood than it is now. The response, in earlier times, of shuffling the priest or religious to another center, with the presumption, that they were warned and gave an undertaking of reform that in some cases didn’t take place, was not just to protect the reputation of the Clergy as a whole, but also to protect the faith of the Catholic community from scandal that could make them lose their faith in knowing that a priest was sinning in this terrible way.

A serious difficulty for transparency regarding protecting of the the abused is where a victim does not report the offense, and also where the priest’s confessor was bound by the seal of Confession. Sometimes people only report abuse many years later or not at all.

Aside from the impact the abuse of a number of the numerous priests and religious had on the lives of the victims (and sometimes their families), many Catholics were unaware of the problem earlier last century
May God protect the faith of those who may be scandalized beyond their ability to respect the Church, now that this issue is known to the world. And, thank God, now correctly addressed.

Priests were held in considerably more social reverence before modern times. They were seldom under question.
Now they must answer for any crimes. They betray not only the people of God, but also all the good and wonderful priests and religious who faithfully live God’s love, law, and truth.

We know with absolute certainty, that Jesus’ uncompromising focus would have been and to protect the innocent…Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2.

Please God you will remember the goodness and the dedicated lives of most priests, knowing that even among Jesus’ chosen ones, there were sinners, who were saved by Jesus, and reformed by Him.
The Church is not bad or untrue because some of us sin.
Rather, everyone does, for as the bible tells us in Hebrews 4:15 regarding Jesus:
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin".

 

[promethian_rule]

Ask them what evidence they have that the abuse cases are any higher in the Catholic Church than in Protestant ones. I was actually listening to Catholic Answers live and the caller basically just might up a number. THEY are making the accusation, they are the ones with the assertion, the burden of proof is on THEM.

Don’t do this. If they weren’t your parents, sure… but as your parents you are called to honor them, regardless of your intent to convert. Attacking their faith and trying a burden of proof argument will only come across as obstinate and disobedient to your parents.

Instead, assure them that you understand what happened in the scandal, that you are aware of signs of danger or manipulation, and that you would report to them first thing if something seemed off from an adult (any adult, not just a priest). You could also tell them that you love them and want their support so you’re never ashamed to come to them if you feel victimized.

Peace be with you, Alan, and (though this might be a tad early) welcome home!

 

[Inbetweener]

Your amazing Alan, at 15 you want to convert!! Your taken the harder road, the protestant road is easier and most teenagers take it, more liberal, secular music, much cooler. You will lose friends and the born again brigade will be at your door at college to save you from hell. Count the cost, speak to a priest.

 

[Casilda]

. How would I go about converting ( like RCIA)

I am a cradle Catholic whose parents left the church when I was nine. All I thought about until I was 18 and in college was going back to the church. Sadly, there is no support for teens converting or reverting. If you could study the faith on your own, the catechism is free online, I picked up a copy at Goodwill, read about the saints, watch mass on YouTube, etc. Discuss what you are doing with friends and maybe you will find a Catholic teen who will invite you to mass with their family.

 

[jcrichton]

Hi, Alan!

This is a huge issue.

Other than the numbers (under 2%) and the fact that most of these cases took place when society did not even have a criminal position on it (most cases were ignored as children’s exaggerations or not reliable witnesses or the hush-hush syndrome…) or the fact that it still takes place in all sorts of frontiers, including public school systems, other religions and the scientology thing… the reality remains that wicked men infiltrated the Church and ignorance, ineptness, and insecurity lead to the mess that exploded… this sickness (evil) remains in the world and it helps obscure the good that exists, even though it is a preponderance of good.

I believe that the first thing that you and your parents should address is the fact of conversion. Are they bothered by the scandal or because it is the Catholic Church? Once this is addressed, you may want to proceed with means to assure your personal safety… when we step out into the world (or even when we stay at home) there are issues that deal with safety. We can plan for our protection (at home: securing doors, windows, computer communication; in the world: what we do, with whom we do it, and a cordial exchange with parents/siblings about our activities).

If the communication is fruitful, you can invite your parents to attend with you so that they can get to know the people you will be engaging–this could put them at ease and create a network so that they can be remotely involved with your progress in the Catholic Church.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[SuperLuigi]

The sex abuse scandal has involved less than 1% of priests around the world. There are over 400,000 Catholic priests, and no, most of them are not child molesters.

Also, men who want to be priests are now psychologically evaluated to be fit for the role.

 

[jcrichton]

Hi, Adam!

I think that you are confused about the issue.

It is not about demanding proof.

While it is true that the Church has suffered from attacks and anti-Catholic bigotry and propaganda, it is also true that Priests, Nuns, and Religious have not behaved according to their vows. This is the reality of the sinful man (humanity).

Any parent should be concerned for their children welfare. This includes being aware of the issues of the day (evil can and does take place everywhere). It is not overly zealous to want to keep your children safe. However, there are ways that they can achieve this without keeping their children from experience life.

The first thing they should do is find out all that they can about the truth and the allegations… just because frat-house’s and pranks kill college students parents cannot resort to homeschooling their children–unless they have the financial means to provide competent educators (and even then, they will still have to supervise the experience as the homeschooled are not completely protected from exploitation just because they are kept at home).

As with everything else in life: seek to know the truth and engage it out of wonder, not fear.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Hi, Therese!

…do you have the numbers?

Just because the Church is attacked with false advertising we should not engage in the same–even if we have the facts on our side.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Hi, Casilda!

…actually, EWTN have several programs where they speak of youth groups/orgs that are working in the Evangelization of high school and college students… Father Mitch Pacwa usually brings in speakers that deal with this; there are also new programs (EWTN television) that are engaged (they also work with facebook and other online mediums).

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Hi, Luigi!

I think that what is more important (people are not always truthful when responding to evaluations) is that the Church has seen that silence is not such a good protection for the victims, families, and the general parishioners and she has instituted means to eradicate the error (sin/evil) from within.

The confidence is not placed on man’s ability to change and uphold the vows of the Priesthood but on removing the errant/perpetrator from the Body of Christ.

Though we cannot apply the “Minority Report,” we can extirpate the sin and the error by removing the perpetrators from the first incident.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[steve-b]

I am 15 and have found the Catholic church to be the one true church and would like to convert. However my parents are hesitant about letting me because of the abuse scandal that the church suffered from. How would I go about converting ( like RCIA) and how can I convince my prodistant parents that not all priests are child molesters?

Go to the closest parish to you, ask for an appointment with the pastor

 

[misstherese]

In the authoritative work by Penn State professor Philip Jenkins, Pedophiles and Priests, it was determined that between .2 and 1.7 percent of priests are pedophiles. The figure among the Protestant clergy ranges between 2 and 3 percent.

 

[jcrichton]

Hi, Therese!

Thank you for the information. I never knew there was a comparison study… though it remains interesting to me that these acts are labeled as “pedophiles.”

Is there a study that has compiled the sex of the victims? It seems to me that, at least with the Catholic Priests, the victims are always male–which suggests that it is not simply a pedophile issue but a homosexual issue as well.

Yet, it seems that this issue did come up; there was a single event, in the news, where a woman purported that it was not a homosexual issue. Yet, the figures and the acts belie her strong defense of homosexuals–just a few days/weeks later, an elderly Priest was caught (followed) on camera traveling from the US to a seedy part of Canada where he sought to engage a young male prostitute; he used the parish’s moneys to finance his endeavor.

Maran atha!

Angel