A Few Questions

[theox]

Let me apologize ahead of time I’m sure this has been asked repeatedly. I’ll make it brief, typing on phone is tedious!

I am married to a woman raised Protestant. I am a lapsed Catholic wanting to return. She is ok with me returning but she is fairly adamant about not converting. She will also resist raising our future children in the Catholic church. She wants to attend a Protestant church as our family church and just let me attend Mass on my own.

What is a husband called home to do? I am trying to be an example but I’m afraid it will not work. She refuses to do anything beyond convalidation.

 

[Lil_Cat]

Let me apologize ahead of time I’m sure this has been asked repeatedly. I’ll make it brief, typing on phone is tedious!

I am married to a woman raised Protestant. I am a lapsed Catholic wanting to return. She is ok with me returning but she is fairly adamant about not converting. She will also resist raising our future children in the Catholic church. She wants to attend a Protestant church as our family church and just let me attend Mass on my own.

What is a husband called home to do? I am trying to be an example but I’m afraid it will not work. She refuses to do anything beyond convalidation.

Talk to your priest. I’ve been there, done that, got the t-shirt (I’m the Protestant wife). I hate to be harsh, but you’ll get a lot of conflicting answers that are not correct. Just make an appointment with your priest and go from there.

 

[latinmasslover]

You’re the head of the home, and that should be in her Bible. If she chooses to remain Protestant, that’s her choice, but the children are to be raised Catholic. Now, how to go about this with her is not so clear-cut. First of all, I’d be making Rosary novenas for her conversion of heart, for an openness. If I were a man, and in your shoes, I would have her listen to or watch the conversion story of Kimberly Hahn. I HIGHLY recommend this, as Mrs. Hahn was in the same - well, similar enough - situation as your wife. She shares her struggles in a way that will help you to understand where your wife is coming from and I think, that if your wife is truly open, it will help to open her heart towards the truth.

You are her husband, and if she feels that you are not damning yourself by practicing Catholicism (which she obviously doesn’t, or else she wouldn’t be supportive of you doing it) she has no grounds for objecting to your leadership, including raising Catholic children. It’s simply a matter of preference for her, it seems. I understand that she may be fervent in her beliefs, but you would be damning yourself by allowing the children that God has entrusted to your care to grow up believing lies, simply to make your wife happy. God is to be worshipped “in spirit and truth,” the words of Christ Himself. He comes first, your wife second. The children are to attend Sunday Mass with their parents.

I understand how difficult this will be, be assured of my prayers for you and for her. God Bless.