Can someone convert to Catholicism if they have had an abortion?

[jud0521]

I know someone who is considering converting to Catholicism. She is worried that she won’t be able to convert because she had an abortion about three years ago. If she can convert, how? And, after converting, will she be able to participate in all the sacraments even though she had an abortion?

 

[a_cermak]

Was she baptized at the time of the abortion? If not, it won’t be an issue. If she was baptized then she will need to inform her parish priest (a good idea in either case for pastoral care) and he will know the appropriate thing to do. It’s certainly not a permanent impediment to joining up.

 

[LilyM]

There is nothing in any person’s past, abortion included, that can prevent them from entering the Catholic Church. After all, we believe that Jesus Christ came specifically to save repentant sinners - all sinners.

The first step is that she would most likely need to go through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (or RCIA), which is a series of classes that will teach her the fundamentals of Catholicism.Taking these classes doesn’t mean she’s obliged to become Catholic at the end of them. She should get in contact with her local Catholic Church to find out about them.

 

[prodigal-sun]

Of course she can become Catholic. The church is full of sinners… it was made for us!

I suggest your friend go talk with a priest in the diocese she is in. Then go find a good orthodox RCIA class. Note: Not all RCIA classes are equal!

As for the Sacraments… Alll Catholics have access to all the scacrements as long as they have no mortal sins on there soul seperating them from God! For no one should take the host unworthily!

Of course the sacrement of reconcilliation (confession) is going to allow your friend everything she will need to once again be in full communion with Christ!

Peace!

Oh how I wish I could see your friend on that day! The grace and mercy of God through the sacrament of confession is truly overwhelming and is a great relief from the sin of abortion. Your friend will be truly blessed because Our Heavenly Father loves us all and all of heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and is once again held in the arms of our Lord!

Peace!

 

[dhgray]

First of all W E L C M E to the forum.

To answer your question…YES. remember, THERE IS NO SIN BIGGER THAN GOD.

Welcome to the Church. You have lots of people who have converted here. Ask and post away. We are here to help each other … and have some fun too.

Iin the mean time … check out PROJECT RACHEL

 

[Dr.Colossus]

Just to add to what everyone else has said, she may be wondering this because procuring or helping to obtain an abortion results in excommunication for Catholics. However, this does not apply to non-Catholics. Joining the Catholic Church includes the sacrament of Reconciliation, which removes the guilt of all sins, including abortion.

 

[Matt16_18]

jud0521:

I know someone who is considering converting to Catholicism. She is worried that she won’t be able to convert because she had an abortion about three years ago. If she can convert, how? And, after converting, will she be able to participate in all the sacraments even though she had an abortion?

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:32If “someone” has never been validly baptized, she would have all her sins forgiven through the reception of the Sacrament of Baptism. For her Sacrament of Baptism to be valid, it presupposes her contrition and repentance for all sins committed before receiving baptism.

If she had been validly baptized in a Protestant sect, then she would need to confess her sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation before she received the other two Sacraments of Initiation (the Sacrament of Confirmation, and the Sacrament of the Eucharist).

If she was a member of an Eastern Orthodox or an Oriental Orthodox church and had received all three Sacraments of Initiation there, then she would need to confess her sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (if she hadn’t already confessed her sins in the EO or OO church) and make a Profession of the Faith.