Becoming a Catholic in Taiwan

[zlick39]

I live in Taiwan, and feel drawn toward the Catholic Church. I was an agnostic for a long time, through school (a Catholic school) and until I was 40.

At 40, I started searching for God, reading the Bible and studying apologetics. I decided that Christ was more real than I ever thought a few months ago, but never felt like I belonged as a Protestant. Recently, I have felt drawn to the Catholic Church, particularly by Pope Francis, and I wish to free myself and commit myself to Christ.

My problem is that I have a demanding job in Taiwan and live far away from any Catholic church, and can’t make it to mass on Sundays or confession. What can I do? I am prepared to confess however I can and live a life as free of sin as I can, but I am in a position where I can’t meet these two important cornerstones of the faith I wish to follow.

Can anyone advise me on this issue?

 

[McCartney]

You may want to discuss this with the priest of your parish i.e. the Catholic church nearest to you. He will know the best solution as he is in the thick of things. He knows the environment and the local terrain. A phone call will be sufficient for a start.

 

[zlick39]

Well, there is the language barrier. I can only speak a bit on Chinese, and most parishes are geared towards the Filipino immigrants. All my Christian friends are orthodox, I believe.

I’ll see if I can get a local friend to help me find out what I need to know, but the nearest parish is about twenty kilometers away. Oh, and my wife is a Daoist who objects me traveling to the city on Sundays as its the only time we spend together as a family.

I can only hope I can work something out.

 

[Neofight]

I live in Taiwan, and feel drawn toward the Catholic Church. I was an agnostic for a long time, through school (a Catholic school) and until I was 40.

At 40, I started searching for God, reading the Bible and studying apologetics. I decided that Christ was more real than I ever thought a few months ago, but never felt like I belonged as a Protestant. Recently, I have felt drawn to the Catholic Church, particularly by Pope Francis, and I wish to free myself and commit myself to Christ.

My problem is that I have a demanding job in Taiwan and live far away from any Catholic church, and can’t make it to mass on Sundays or confession. What can I do? I am prepared to confess however I can and live a life as free of sin as I can, but I am in a position where I can’t meet these two important cornerstones of the faith I wish to follow.

Can anyone advise me on this issue?

Where do you live in Taiwan? I lived in Taichung a couple of years (2008 and 2009), and there was a rather large expat community. You may want to google expat organizations where you live, and I know there was a great English language newspaper and radio station, you might want to reach out to them…this may help you find a group of believers without the language barrier.

Good luck!

 

[zlick39]

I live out in Danshui on the north coast. I’ve been in Taiwan for eleven years but have rarely been in touch with expats since all my expat friends returned home. Most of my friends are Chinese now and I know them through work or my wife’s family.

 

[tawny]

I live in Taiwan, and feel drawn toward the Catholic Church. I was an agnostic for a long time, through school (a Catholic school) and until I was 40.

At 40, I started searching for God, reading the Bible and studying apologetics. I decided that Christ was more real than I ever thought a few months ago, but never felt like I belonged as a Protestant. Recently, I have felt drawn to the Catholic Church, particularly by Pope Francis, and I wish to free myself and commit myself to Christ.

My problem is that I have a demanding job in Taiwan and live far away from any Catholic church, and can’t make it to mass on Sundays or confession. What can I do? I am prepared to confess however I can and live a life as free of sin as I can, but I am in a position where I can’t meet these two important cornerstones of the faith I wish to follow.

Can anyone advise me on this issue?

You should discuss this with a Priest, & explain the situation to him. Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance & direction.

 

[Linusthe2nd]

Well, there is the language barrier. I can only speak a bit on Chinese, and most parishes are geared towards the Filipino immigrants. All my Christian friends are orthodox, I believe.

I’ll see if I can get a local friend to help me find out what I need to know, but the nearest parish is about twenty kilometers away. Oh, and my wife is a Daoist who objects me traveling to the city on Sundays as its the only time we spend together as a family.

I can only hope I can work something out.

Most Chinese and Philino priests will speak passible English. Have you read the Catechism of the Catholic Church ? It would be at least a start.
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

You really need to know all that the Church teaches and that Catholics in good standing ( who try to live in the state of grace ) are bound to adhere to, mind, body, and soul. There is no point in becoming Catholic if you are not going to be a good one - we have enough of the other kind. Are you and your wife willing to have children and forego contracepting. do either of you have a previous marriage? Pope Frances will not live forever and he is not going to change Church teaching, he can’t, the teaching of the Church is Infallible in matters of Faith and Morals.

Will pray for you and your wife.

Linus2nd

 

[zlick39]

No, no previous marriages and we don’t used contraception. We have one little boy. I’d had sex before marriage although, as I said, I wasn’t a believer back then.

If anyone could point me to a good book on learning Catholicism, I’d appreciate it. I’m pretty well versed in Protestant theology and apologetics from my previous research when I began my search.

 

[Linusthe2nd]

No, no previous marriages and we don’t used contraception. We have one little boy. I’d had sex before marriage although, as I said, I wasn’t a believer back then.

If anyone could point me to a good book on learning Catholicism, I’d appreciate it. I’m pretty well versed in Protestant theology and apologetics from my previous research when I began my search.

The Catechism, which I linked above, will tell you all about Cathelocism.
The way you become Catholic is usually to go through a course called RCIA for an hour or so a week for a year or two ( depending on how well you progress.) During that time you will be taught what the Church believes ( kind of a watered down catechism course ). During this time you should reflect upon whether or not you can agree to what the Church believes and whether or not you really want to become a Catholic. If at the end of that time you request to join the Church, you will be baptized ( if you have not already had a valid baptism - the Church recognizes the baptisms of most non-Catholic denominations ), you will get to make your first Confession and receive your First Communion. For adults, Confirmation is usually given after you receive your First Communion, but it may be on a different day.

The RCIA course may be omitted in special cases, it would depend on the circumstances.

Linus2nd

 

[Cojuanco]

I live out in Danshui on the north coast. I’ve been in Taiwan for eleven years but have rarely been in touch with expats since all my expat friends returned home. Most of my friends are Chinese now and I know them through work or my wife’s family.

Your nearest parish then is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. The parish priest is Fr. Jean Claude Nkuanga. Further details can be gathered (in English) at the website of the Archdiocese of Taipei, here: catholic.org.tw/taipei/eng/deanery/38/.

If you say that a lot of the clergy are geared to serving the Filipino community, it is very likely that they speak at least some English, as it is taught in the schools there. While most immigrant parishioners, being working class, may have trouble with English, that should not be a problem with more educated people (like priests).