Are converts the 'best' Catholics?

[lutherlic]

I think there is an assumption that converts know more and are more true to the faith. The generalization is dangerous though. There are converts who may be motivated by pressures (e.g. marrying a Catholic) other than just faith. I don’t think that is necessarily bad, BTW - just that they will have a need for even greater future conversion. There are of course huge numbers of cradle Catholics who are absolutely awesome.

I too am very concerned about “cafeteria Catholics”. To my mind it is a very serious issue. This may be harsh and as a candidate maybe I have no right to think this, but not accepting the teaching of the Church makes them non-Catholic. Moreover their personal “modified” Catholic beliefs in many cases may (depending on their thoughts / words / actions / inactions and lack of confession thereof) put some in a state of continual mortal sin. Compounded every time they receive the Eucharist.

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

I think there is an assumption that converts know more and are more true to the faith. The generalization is dangerous though. There are converts who may be motivated by pressures (e.g. marrying a Catholic) other than just faith. I don’t think that is necessarily bad, BTW - just that they will have a need for even greater future conversion. There are of course huge numbers of cradle Catholics who are absolutely awesome.

I agree, and I think there is many times a kind of thinking with converts that they’re all like Paul - perfect converts who are just as knowledgeable of their former faith or ideology as much as their current one. The truth is, God leads people to the Church, and they themselves either embrace or resist the teachings given by their Lord. There are some cradle Christians who are living saints, and there are some cradle Christians who take their faith for granted. Likewise, there are converts who show zeal that puts the ones who have known their God all their lives to shame, and there are converts who simply like a new fad or like one or two thing about the church they’re joining. It’s a case by case basis, really, not a matter of practice or precedent.

I think, however, we cannot be judgmental. I’ll admit that I was guilty of this at one point. 'Bout two years ago a young gentleman joined my church saying he was interested in Orthodoxy, but also he was led there by his fiance, who was Orthodox. In my mind, I could only think, “Great, an Orthodox by convenience.” It was probably some of the flesh coming up, and I was tempted by jealousy, as he was chrismated long before I was. However, several months down the road I ran into him again. I asked him casually about his fiance, to which he said dismissively, “Oh, don’t even ask.” Later on when I was with him at a friend’s gathering I heard him speak about Orthodox theology and scripture, and found he was very, very knowledgeable. So my judgment had been wrong - this “Orthodox by convenience” turned out to be a perfect convert.

 

[Alexandra]

See alexandra you just hit on a important point, some people take their kids for ccd etc the sacraments and thats it. Learning the Catholic Faith is a on going process. UNTIL YOU DIE! You cannot just learn the basis in a 1 hour a week basic religion class. You must go every single sunday, pay attention in church, read the bible. Heck you can read the bible every sunday in the RCC. Its called a missilette. (sorry know I spelled it wrong).

There is so so much to learn. But bible study is every single sunday in Mass. Think about it, the Priest reads the gospel, then explains it, Every single sunday. People just do not pay attention.

You are absolutely right. Immediately after making communion I was in the confirmation class. My mom believed that if she could get all of her children safely through confirmation, that she had did her duty. We stopped going to church again as soon as I made confirmation. She used to proclaim proudly that she had done her duty.

 

[wina]

I’m cradle Catholic but honestly I only knew very little about Catholic faith until God’s grace has given me motivation to learn more about catholic faith and when the first time I found this forum, I was amazed that many catholics here have very good knowledge about catholic faith and it has motivated me to learn more and more about my faith. Then the more I learn about it the more I’m proud of being Catholic.

And I can’t say that I agree if person who converts are the best catholic. It depends on each individual. Because I believe that each person has unique relationship with God, and noone has the same relationship.

 

[Hoots12]

This could go either way. I myself am a convert to Catholicism, and when I was in High School and even my first semester of college I was a really strong anti-Catholic. My parents had drilled it into my head that Catholics weren’t really Christians and lacked faith in God, they had too many traditions, saints, and statues in there church. I was raised Baptist, so we didn’t have any of that in our churches. When I was in college I met some people that were Catholic and I started to hang out around them, and I realized that they had something that I didn’t, and I started to get into discussions with some Catholics, at times it got heated over some subjects, but that and some Catholic retreats helped me to see that Catholics had some much more, and I began the process of RCIA. I was blessed with a awesome mentor, plus friends to answer any more questions. Once I received my first communion I had jumped into my faith, and learned anything I could about my faith and the church. Some of my friends said that my excitement for my faith helped them to get more excitement. So I think that converts can be the best because if you convert for yourself you can bring an excitement, and if you show it, it may help others in the parish, but you need the right people to help. So I’m very thankful for the cradle Catholics that I was surrounded by.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

There are great “cradle Catholics”, great great ones.

I still believe there is something going on in our teachings to the youth. I myself experienced it. Don’t know what it is. Perhaps it’s Satan paying attention and tempting more? I don’t know.

If you guys ever come up with a great plan to teach our youth, my sons included to some extent, better than how we do it now, I am down for it.

I agree. You’ll find knowledgeable Catholics in both the cradle and convert camps. It depends on the person and how deep they’re willing to explore their faith.

I was amazed how little my own sons knew. I have taught them all about Catholicism since they were born. The other day I was shocked to hear them both fumble on the question of who visited Jesus on the night of his birth. The WISE MEN!

facepalm

And I have taught them all about it…don’t know if they just think it’s to boring or what.

Um, actually it was the shepherds who visited that night. The wise men didn’t find Him for a couple of years.

 

[Teneas]

I agree. You’ll find knowledgeable Catholics in both the cradle and convert camps. It depends on the person and how deep they’re willing to explore their faith.

Um, actually it was the shepherds who visited that night. The wise men didn’t find Him for a couple of years.

LOL touche on the last one. Guess I should have stated my statement better. We asked them who visited Christ and brought him gifts. But that is a good point you bring up. I myself was unaware that the Church teaches that the wise men visited years later. I do know that I have heard that theory, because they were following the star, and it would have taken them a long time to get there. Perhaps my children know so little on that one cause I fumbled.

 

[graceandglory]

One person I talked to told me, as a child, he was not allowed to even turn his head in the pew during Mass. He was not allowed to smile or approach the Priest at all. The Priest was unapproachable even for his parents. He was made to go to confession at least once a month and confess. He said he just made things up most of time. He told me this ‘soured’ him on the faith…

Sounds more like an issue your friend has with his parent, not with the Church.
Sometimes parents do the best we know how, but still get it all botched up.

 

[graceandglory]

This could go either way. I myself am a convert to Catholicism, and when I was in High School and even my first semester of college I was a really strong anti-Catholic. My parents had drilled it into my head that Catholics weren’t really Christians and lacked faith in God, they had too many traditions, saints, and statues in there church. I was raised Baptist, so we didn’t have any of that in our churches. When I was in college I met some people that were Catholic and I started to hang out around them, and I realized that they had something that I didn’t, and I started to get into discussions with some Catholics, at times it got heated over some subjects, but that and some Catholic retreats helped me to see that Catholics had some much more, and I began the process of RCIA. I was blessed with a awesome mentor, plus friends to answer any more questions. Once I received my first communion I had jumped into my faith, and learned anything I could about my faith and the church. Some of my friends said that my excitement for my faith helped them to get more excitement. So I think that converts can be the best because if you convert for yourself you can bring an excitement, and if you show it, it may help others in the parish, but you need the right people to help. So I’m very thankful for the cradle Catholics that I was surrounded by.

Hi Hoots12! Welcome to CAF! Sounds like you have a lot to share!

 

[Marie5890]

Yes, converts do make more faithful Catholics, whether they are cradle Catholics or reverts or people coming in from other faith traditions.

But does someone going thru RCIA make a better Catholic? Not necessarily. Depends on why the are wanting to join. Many join because they are marrying a Catholic and a Catholic wedding is wanted. Or they are doing it for their spouse.

My point being, anyway who has experienced conversion makes a stronger Catholic. That includes those who were born into the faith.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Yes, converts do make more faithful Catholics, whether they are cradle Catholics or reverts or people coming in from other faith traditions.

Yep. Hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re right. It isn’t only reverts and non-Catholics that have conversion experiences. Would that we all had as many conversions as we need as we follow Christ and become better conformed to His image!

But does someone going thru RCIA make a better Catholic? Not necessarily. Depends on why the are wanting to join. Many join because they are marrying a Catholic and a Catholic wedding is wanted. Or they are doing it for their spouse.

My RCIA directors are adamant about telling potential converts NOT to become Catholic just for a spouse/significant other. My eldest dd is getting married in June to a non-Catholic and they will have a Catholic wedding, just not a wedding Mass. Both parties do not need to be Catholic for a Catholic wedding to take place.

My point being, anyway who has experienced conversion makes a stronger Catholic. That includes those who were born into the faith.

Amen!