Converts to Catholicism what obsticles did you face?

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JohnnyReb: I am where you are at, only my entire family extended on out to Lord knows how many cousins, are mormon. Mormons taught when I was younger that the Roman Catholic church is the “whore of Babylon”. (Mormon church doesn’t teach that any more, but believe me many of my family still believe what they were taught.)

This is difficult JohnnyReb, and all I can say is this has to be something that YOU want and need to do and trust that God is going to help you. There really are no answers that will satisfy your family, because I think what they are really asking is, “Why don’t you just stay the way we raised you?”. They may even see your decision to go RC as rejecting them. So, I think just make sure you keep them close to you so that they know that you love them, not reject them. At least, I am hoping that works for me.

Good luck.

Rebecca
 
RebeccaJ said:
This is difficult JohnnyReb, and all I can say is this has to be something that YOU want and need to do and trust that God is going to help you. There really are no answers that will satisfy your family, because I think what they are really asking is, “Why don’t you just stay the way we raised you?”. They may even see your decision to go RC as rejecting them. So, I think just make sure you keep them close to you so that they know that you love them, not reject them. At least, I am hoping that works for me.

Good luck.

Rebecca
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I also think your advice works for many cases too.
 
JohnnyReb said:
I am glad that to hear that about RCIA. I’m investigating, and I am praying. I am confident that the Lord will lead me to the truth. I told my family that I have not made a decision written in stone, but if things don’t change, I will end up Catholic. Its funny that this has not hampered my desire to learn more about the church. My family is close and their imput is important, but I have learned that I am willing to accept that I might not have their support, and that is ok with me.
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Hi JohnnyReb,
I think this little book might speed you along.😃
angelfire.com/ca3/rafaelmarie/ThePieta/athepieta.html
catholicbooksonline.org/item.asp?PID=294
 
Obstacles? Wow, lots of obstacles. It sounds like you have come across and dealt with and are dealing with what most of us who’ve converted have done also.

First: trying to sort through all the misinformation you have received all your life concerning the Catholic Church, it’s rituals, it’s idol worship, it’s worship of saints and angels, it’s blasphemies…, it’s a never ending list of horrible lies and misunderstandings. The Catechism and your Bible, hand in hand, they are the best resources to cleanse your mind of all that rubbish. You will learn more about the Catholic faith than most Catholics around you know (except those on this forum, of course 😉 ). Stick with it, it is a huge blessing, one that will continue for the remainder of your journey in this life, you’ll never even touch the tip of the iceburg, but it’s great fun trying!

Next: dealing with friends and family, this is the most emotionally draining. Most of us seem to put this part off as long as possible, because we know what’s coming. But understand this, God is the one calling you, and He sees all that lies ahead, and He is prepared to help you through it. Prayer is what is going to help you get through this part. None of us can tell you how this is going to unfold for you, the majority of us experience our share of rejection though, and it is painful. But the alternative is to turn your back on what God is calling you to. In the long run, you really have no choice if you want joy in your spirit, and right relationship with your Savior.

My best advice when dealing with combative loved ones is - don’t get pulled into arguing, it is non-productive and only leads to anger on all sides. Sometimes the best defense is to just be still. Maybe have some reading materials ready to give them, if they want honest discussion; they can read what the Church truly teaches and then you can discuss what’s left to discuss.

There is a great resource, a DVD that was made by Protestants, a discussion between an Evangelical minister and a Catholic priest about the Catholic faith. I just found out about it myself today, it’s called Common Ground. Here is a link where you can read about it and purchase it if you chose.

ninevehscrossing.com/Order-CommonGround.html

I’m going to get this myself, as I am still waiting for the right opportunity, Lord willing, to have this moment with my own family.

God bless you, and use CAF as your place to find camaraderie when you need it, and you will. It’s a Godsend for us converts!
 
Thanks everyone for sharing your advise and obsticles you have faced. I feel so encouraged. This thread was neved meant to be all about me, and if anyone else wants to share obsticles they are facing in conversion, please share. Many people here will help.
 
Johnny, my prayers are with you and I can only offer the consolation that many of us have been exactly in your shoes. I converted this past year after being a Protestant for 32 yrs. I’m the first Catholic in my family as far as anyone can remember. It wasn’t an easy process and I can still remember the many nights spent in doubt. You specifically asked about any stumbling blocks. Mine were:

1)Papal authority
2)Marian Theology (this was the most difficult for me and took me awhile to work through. This includes the Immaculate Conception of Mary and Assumption as well as prayers for the intercession of Mary.)
3)Sacrament of Reconciliation
4)Intercession of the Saints (“praying” to saints)

There were a few others but those were the big ones. With time, prayer and research I was able to come to peace with all of the issues but I would imagine that it takes time for any former Protestant because it represents a fundamentally and radically different way of thinking about Christianity. I didn’t have any Catholics in my family to encourage me in the process and was not dating a Catholic so it was very lonely at times. Luckily I had a great sponsor and RCIA group. My only encouragement is to tackle the issues one at a time and find your peace. Try not to engage your family in argumentative debate about Catholicism vs Protestantism. I found all those discussions to be fruitless and counter productive. Make sure you are converting for the right reasons and not simply rebelling against the religious norms of your family upbringing. It’s important that you believe all the fundamental truths that the RCC teaches so work through them slowly. Finally, learn to pray the rosary and discover what a truly Christ centered prayer it can be. 😉 May God grant you peace on your journey home to the Catholic Church. -Brown
 
BrownR said:
1)Papal authority
2)Marian Theology (this was the most difficult for me and took me awhile to work through. This includes the Immaculate Conception of Mary and Assumption as well as prayers for the intercession of Mary.)
3)Sacrament of Reconciliation
4)Intercession of the Saints (“praying” to saints)

There were a few others but those were the big ones. With time, prayer and research I was able to come to peace with all of the issues but I would imagine that it takes time for any former Protestant because it represents a fundamentally and radically different way of thinking about Christianity. I didn’t have any Catholics in my family to encourage me in the process and was not dating a Catholic so it was very lonely at times. Luckily I had a great sponsor and RCIA group. My only encouragement is to tackle the issues one at a time and find your peace. Try not to engage your family in argumentative debate about Catholicism vs Protestantism. I found all those discussions to be fruitless and counter productive. Make sure you are converting for the right reasons and not simply rebelling against the religious norms of your family upbringing.
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Personally my biggest obsticle, as I have said before, is getting over Sola Fide.

I do have an aunt who is Catholic who I can talk to. She is thrilled that I am enrolled in RCIA. Having her is a blessing. I do not want to debate but it seems lately that there a couple of people who want to. I have suggested that we begin with what we have in common. I am converting for truth, not to rebel. I would think that they would at least be glad that I am not becoming Wiccan or Buddhist or something else.
 
not a single family member attended my wedding in the Catholic Church after I converted. My father has not spoken to me since.
5 years later…I saw my sister baptized in the Catholic Church this passed MAy 20th, and my mother now uses a rosary!
my husband is becoming the spiritual man I always knew he could become, supporting me in the faith and taking a spiritual lead when I least expect it, his lapsed Catholic parents and sister have not attended Mass or reconciliation in many years, but now they are talking about it again. He makes sure he does not work on Sunday and if he has to- we go to Saturday Vigil. He recently started reading the Bible and he prays with me now.
Don’t give up.
Ravyn
 
As a convert to Christianity (Catholicism) from Islam, I do face official discrimination and social discrimination.

Those Muslims who do know of my conversion to Catholicism, tell me “praying” to human beings is wrong and idolatry and some Ulama (Islamic scholars) tell me I am mentally ill since confess the Nicene Creed. More radical Muslims (ie Islamists) tell me that I must be killed by beheading for my apostasy from Islam is treason.

Also, I’ve become aware vast majority of Muslim people do not know the difference among the different levels of “prayer” . There is nothing wrong in offering prayers to Saint Mary the Theotokos or any canonised saints as Jesus our Lord prayed to his mother, who is the most important saint in the Church.
 
Ravyn and murtad

I don’t see myself facing what either of the two of you faced and are facing for converting. If you can overcome what you have, I can do it too.
 
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