Call to Catholicism?

[Harri_Laaksonen]

Now that I have been on this forum for a while, I want to throw my most personal question out to the community.

I have been involved, actively, in theology for the past 25 years or so. I have been around the theological block a few times within Protestantism and consistently in the Universal, “one, Catholic and Apostolic Church”.

I graduated from a Lutheran seminary in Canada and served as a minister in that organization for about 10 years, experiencing burn out and a consequent rejection by the body as being unsuitable for the “one size fits all” definition of clergy in that organization.

After having ascertained that my spiritual gifts were in the area of “teaching and Prophecy” I had two bishops say that they were sorry but there was no place for me. I am acknowledged to be a good preacher, and if you check my posts on this forum, a pretty decent theologian.

I had to do something pretty radical to keep from becoming a suicide because of the constant message that I was not of any use to society. I moved back to my native Finland. I was told by the Church of Finland (Lutheran) that I did not have enough Greek to be accepted into ministry. I have at least found a niche in teaching and am accepted well in it. I have regained my health, but it cost me my marriage.

Now my question boils down to whether I would be welcome in the Roman Catholic Church, especially as a cleric. I have lived a celibate life. I teach. I am open about my spirituality which is closest to the Dominicans.

Might I now look to affiliating with the Dominicans and perhaps again fulfilling my inner calling of being a priest?

I look for a personal message. I would be a member of the Diocese of Helsinki, and the parish of Turku since I live in Pori.

Yours in Christ.
Harri

 

[Cloisters]

Come on in! The water’s fine!

BTW, my husband’s family is Finnish Lutheran.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[bilop]

Now that I have been on this forum for a while, I want to throw my most personal question out to the community.

I have been involved, actively, in theology for the past 25 years or so. I have been around the theological block a few times within Protestantism and consistently in the Universal, “one, Catholic and Apostolic Church”.

I graduated from a Lutheran seminary in Canada and served as a minister in that organization for about 10 years, experiencing burn out and a consequent rejection by the body as being unsuitable for the “one size fits all” definition of clergy in that organization.

After having ascertained that my spiritual gifts were in the area of “teaching and Prophecy” I had two bishops say that they were sorry but there was no place for me. I am acknowledged to be a good preacher, and if you check my posts on this forum, a pretty decent theologian.

I had to do something pretty radical to keep from becoming a suicide because of the constant message that I was not of any use to society. I moved back to my native Finland. I was told by the Church of Finland (Lutheran) that I did not have enough Greek to be accepted into ministry. I have at least found a niche in teaching and am accepted well in it. I have regained my health, but it cost me my marriage.

Now my question boils down to whether I would be welcome in the Roman Catholic Church, especially as a cleric. I have lived a celibate life. I teach. I am open about my spirituality which is closest to the Dominicans.

Might I now look to affiliating with the Dominicans and perhaps again fulfilling my inner calling of being a priest?

I look for a personal message. I would be a member of the Diocese of Helsinki, and the parish of Turku since I live in Pori.

Yours in Christ.
Harri

You are certainly welcome in the Catholic Church, all are.

You might (as a Lutheran minister) be elligible to be ordained. I’m not sure if your marital status would be an issue. You might have to seek a decree of nullity.

Why don’t you contact a local priest and start the conversion process. That would be easy. You would then have to speak to the Dominican vocation director for your area on the priesthood issues.

God Bless, and may you find your way to the Church quickly!

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

You are certainly welcome in the Catholic Church, all are.

You might (as a Lutheran minister) be elligible to be ordained. I’m not sure if your marital status would be an issue. You might have to seek a decree of nullity.

Why don’t you contact a local priest and start the conversion process. That would be easy. You would then have to speak to the Dominican vocation director for your area on the priesthood issues.

God Bless, and may you find your way to the Church quickly!

Just a big welcome home [soon] and prayers on your journey… and I would have posted the same thoughts as bilop here …
EWTN in the states has a program entitled Journey Home where they tell real life stories [so to speak] of people from other faith traditions who have found their way back to Mother Church. They might also offers some spiritual support for you.

Best of Luck on your journey we shall be praying for you and please let us all know how things progress.*

 

[quiet52]

Hello Harri,

You should not become Catholic in order to be ordained – become Catholic only if you truly believe this is the Church that Jesus founded.

I suggest that you speak with the pastor of the Catholic parish nearest you about being received into the Church.

He may have you speak with the bishop or vocations director of your diocese.

If you have no intention to re-marry, your divorce would not prevent you from becoming Catholic. However, you are still married in the eyes of the Church, unless and until she determines that your marriage was not a valid one. Your pastor can help you to file a petition for nullity. There is no guarantee that a decree for nullity will be granted by your diocesan Marriage Tribunal.

I believe it would not be possible for you to be ordained if your marriage is found to be valid. Hopefully, this possibility will not keep you from Catholicism!

If your marriage is annulled, it may be God’s will that you become a priest – or perhaps a deacon – however, there is no guarantee that the Church will accept you. Ordination is not a “right” that anyone has.

That being said, I hope you’ll pursue this calling, if it is one.

You might appreciate the article “How I Became the Catholic I was” by Father John Neuhaus, a Catholic priest and former Lutheran priest:

firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2007

 

[Lukelion]

There is an online ministry to help you on your path. The Coming Home Network was founded by Marcus Grodi. I hope this link works…chnetwork.org/
Godspeed on your journey.

 

[Harri_Laaksonen]

Thank you, all for the response to my post.

I have contacted my “local” parish and will be meeting with at least the sr. pastor. I have lots of practical questions and have spent a lot of time wrestling with the theological issues over many years and have come to the conclusion that coming home to Rome is what I should be doing.

Vocation to orders is still a question but I believe that God has been calling me for years and I have been trying to do things my way. The deepening of spirituality can only help me do things His way with the time I have left considering that I am already 61.

Grace and peace to you.

Harri

 

[jmcrae]

My recommendation would be to take things one step at a time.

Become a Catholic first, and deal with the Declaration of Nullity for the marriage.

If that works out, then you can start to consider joining an Order, and then from there, you can look into the priesthood.

I don’t know what the age limitations might be, but I am under the impression that there is no retirement age for priests, so as long as you remain in good health, I see no reason why you couldn’t spend at least a few years of your life as a priest.

But first things first, and given the situation, soonest is best.

 

[puzzleannie]

best advice has already been given, talk to your pastor about becoming Catholic. In due course, meet with the vocations director of your diocese to discern a call to ordained ministry within the Catholic Church. You may at any time investigate secular orders such as Dominican Tertiaries as any lay person can participate in these.

the Coming Home network with Marcus Grodi deals specifically with people in your situation, Protestant pastors who are contemplating coming into full Communion with the Catholic Church. They help with not only the spiritual aspect but the practical, how to make a living, support a family, deal with family issues etc. His program, the Journey Home, airs on EWTN on Monday evening, and is repeated several times during the week. He interviews an individual, or couple, each week who has been through this process and they tell their stories, and answer questions from the audience. My guess is these will be extremely helpful to you.

there is at least one seminary that is geared specifically toward older men, including those who have already had careers and raised families, and those who are coming from other denominations.

oh, and welcome home!