De-Baptism and leaving the Church

[Alder]

Hello

This may be a touchy subject so I’ll make this post as brief as possible.

I’ve recently left Catholicism but I’ve learned that I may still be listed as Catholic on a register somewhere.

Is there any way I can terminate my involvement in the Church formally? I don’t want to be associated with this organisation anymore.

BTW. I’ve been Baptized (infant baptism) and confirmed (parents)

Cheers

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Here is an example of why users should try to search for an answer to their questions before posting.

Here is a link to a question and answer in the Ask an Apologist sub-forum.

How do I officially leave the Church?

I would like it if you would answer the questions that the apologist asks.

 

[jsaldar]

It seems you have made up your mind.

We are the Church, the Church is living within all of its members, because it is sustained by our faith and love for Christ. The church is not just a bunch of churches combined. If you reject the chuch as you have then you don’t need any formal termination. Your decision has been made and you having free will can follow the Church or not.

Hopefully, you will reconsider. If not, then just remember that the Church will always be there; happy if you ever decide to return.

 

[beth40n2]

BTW. I’ve been Baptized (infant baptism) and confirmed (parents)

Cheers

Baptism makes us children of God in new life “born of the spirit” (John 3:1-6). We are made members of the church, a community called to care for one another (and all people). We are forever marked as Christians. In Baptism, we say that we put God’s will before worldly things. Baptism cannot be repeated for it leaves a permanent mark on our soul (cf. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 263).

If you leave the Catholic church and are baptised in another Christian church, you will only be reaffirming your baptism, as the permanent mark can only be done once.

If you are leaving Christianity for some other religion, just know the baptism and confirmation you recieved is permanent. The Holy Spirit is within you and will always be tugging at your heart.

I will be praying for you for a change of heart.

 

[Alder]

Thank you for directing me to “the Formal act of defection”

Sorry for not looking more carefully

I would like it if you would answer the questions that the apologist asks.

Why do I want to officially leave? Because for a long time I was actively involved in my Parish while having no conviction that anything of what the priest said was true. One day I said to myself " you’re acting like a complete hypocrite" so I ceased all involvement.

If I were to continue to be registered “Catholic” it would only deepen my hypocrisy (If that makes sense)

 

[LemonAndLime]

I’m sorry you feel that way.

However, you cannot undo the past and Catholicism will always be a part of you, and played some part in your making - whether that was spiritual or just part of you because it is the belief you grew up with.

It appears from your post that you lost belief. It’s natural, it happens, in these cases if you wished we would advise going back to basics - thinking about what it is you struggled with and advise ways of how you could cope with that. I know you’ve made it clear that you do not wish to encouraged to return to the Church, but from a purely secular point of view I do suggest thinking about the specific reasons why you turned from Catholicism if only so you can feel you have closure.

By all means, feel free to be active in the forum after you’ve had your advice - we’re a friendly bunch and not everyone here is a Catholic, as you’ll soon find out.

 

[Lapey]

Thank you for directing me to “the Formal act of defection”

Sorry for not looking more carefully

Why do I want to officially leave? Because for a long time I was actively involved in my Parish while having no conviction that anything of what the priest said was true. One day I said to myself " you’re acting like a complete hypocrite" so I ceased all involvement.

If I were to continue to be registered “Catholic” it would only deepen my hypocrisy (If that makes sense)

Well, istead of leaving Christ and following yourself, why not learn why the Church is truth and why you choose to reject that truth?

If you don’t mind me asking, what was the priest ssaying that was false? What specifically do you find wrong with infant baptisim and confirmation? Both are found in the bible by the way, and practiced by the early Church.

PS. One may “de-register”, but you will never wash Catholic Christian off of your soul. You will always be a Catholic, you may reject Christ and His Church, but He will never reject you.

 

[Fink]

Why do I want to officially leave? Because for a long time I was actively involved in my Parish while having no conviction that anything of what the priest said was true. One day I said to myself " you’re acting like a complete hypocrite" so I ceased all involvement.

If I were to continue to be registered “Catholic” it would only deepen my hypocrisy (If that makes sense)

Do you really know what the Catholic Church teaches; and, more importantly:** WHY **she teaches what she teaches?
In other words: did you give the Church a chance to explain herself?

The term: “this organization” rings of bitterness.
The same with Baptism and Confirmation.

 

[Ladygem]

Alder, if there was a specific problem with your parish, there may be another parish close by that would better suit your spiritual needs. I’d give that a try before doing something that drastic. Other than that, I sympathize with your situation. Most people go through a period of questioning their faith, I think. What matters to God is that we keep trying.

 

[Fink]

…Most people go through a period of*** questioning their faith***, I think. What matters to God is that we keep trying.

Its a healthy thing to do, as long as we give the Church a chance to explain her teachings; but, in Alders case, it seems to go beyond just questioning. There`s a deep bitterness, or worse, in the wording.
Most ex-Catholics just walk out. This is like wishing to formally disavow some loathsome thing…and give the parents a boot?

Is there any way I can terminate my involvement in the Church formally? I don’t want to be associated with this organisation anymore.

BTW. I’ve been Baptized (infant baptism) and confirmed (parents)

 

[Tigg]

Hello

This may be a touchy subject so I’ll make this post as brief as possible.

I’ve recently left Catholicism but I’ve learned that I may still be listed as Catholic on a register somewhere.

Is there any way I can terminate my involvement in the Church formally? I don’t want to be associated with this organisation anymore.

BTW. I’ve been Baptized (infant baptism) and confirmed (parents)

Cheers

Obviously there appears to be many underlying issues driving your decision. Unfortunately, removing your name from a registry somewhere won’t eliminate the psychological and spiritual ramifications of your “involvement.” Your free will to leave the church will never be infringed upon by God, but I suspect without exploring the reasons for doing so, you may be holding your own self bound.

 

[Cryptic1]

I’m sorry that you’ve left the Catholic Church–I’m guessing the church was not there for you, perhaps when you needed their support the most. I too called myself a Catholic but became disenchanted as I began to see the hypocrisy within the church. However, let me say that, even though I felt this way–I knew God was present in the church, during Mass and especially during consecration. My heart was often touched during Mass and by this I became aware of of Jesus’ Real Presence.

I left the Catholic church to attend a Christian church–not without sadness, as I had been brought up in the faith. But I never felt abandoned by God–only by His people. While I believe Jesus resides in the sacrifice of the Mass and in the sacraments of the church, I did not always find him in the body of Christ. Not everyone who calls themself a Catholic or Christian truly understands or has a real relationship with Jesus and so religion becomes just a ritualistic practice. God, in the book of Hosea in the bible says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” While the Catholic Church holds many truths that lead to salvation, the priests and leaders sometimes fail to preach the truth, which leads many to fall away.

Please do not allow your experiences in the Catholic Church as a reason to turn from God. While God uses the body of Christ to exemplify his love, often the body of Christ operates on their own agenda–not God’s (their will, not His). I just want to remind you how much God loves you and how much God wants to have a relationship with you. I believe as long as you follow in Jesus’ footsteps, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…No one comes to the Father except through Me.” you will find God there as well. So, whether Catholic or Christian or Protestant–as long as you follow a church that professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you will begin to have a more real relationship with God and you will then begin to see God operating in your life.

Know that God is a good God and that He will continue to call you until your last breath. So great is His love for you that He sent His only son into the world to save you. God’s people may have failed to show the kind of love He wants you to know, but God Himself has never failed you–and He never will.

God Rocks

 

[jmcrae]

Thank you for directing me to “the Formal act of defection”

Sorry for not looking more carefully

Why do I want to officially leave? Because for a long time I was actively involved in my Parish while having no conviction that anything of what the priest said was true.

You do realize that the priest is not God, right?

One day I said to myself " you’re acting like a complete hypocrite" so I ceased all involvement.

What did Jesus do to you? Since it is His Church that you are leaving - it does not belong to this priest.

If I were to continue to be registered “Catholic” it would only deepen my hypocrisy (If that makes sense)

We always have room for more hypocrites, so don’t let that stop you.

It’s better for everyone else if you are a hypocrite and outwardly do good things even though you are evil on the inside, than to be true to your evil self by doing evil deeds, thus harming both yourself and other people.

Also, there is a certain amount of merit in faking it until you make it - when you build up a habit, you begin to live it, and then finally it becomes part of who you are.

 

[Lapey]

I’m sorry that you’ve left the Catholic Church–I’m guessing the church was not there for you, perhaps when you needed their support the most. I too called myself a Catholic but became disenchanted as I began to see the hypocrisy within the church. However, let me say that, even though I felt this way–I knew God was present in the church, during Mass and especially during consecration. My heart was often touched during Mass and by this I became aware of of Jesus’ Real Presence.

I left the Catholic church to attend a Christian church–not without sadness, as I had been brought up in the faith. But I never felt abandoned by God–only by His people. While I believe Jesus resides in the sacrifice of the Mass and in the sacraments of the church, I did not always find him in the body of Christ. Not everyone who calls themself a Catholic or Christian truly understands or has a real relationship with Jesus and so religion becomes just a ritualistic practice. God, in the book of Hosea in the bible says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” While the Catholic Church holds many truths that lead to salvation, the priests and leaders sometimes fail to preach the truth, which leads many to fall away.

Please do not allow your experiences in the Catholic Church as a reason to turn from God. While God uses the body of Christ to exemplify his love, often the body of Christ operates on their own agenda–not God’s (their will, not His). I just want to remind you how much God loves you and how much God wants to have a relationship with you. I believe as long as you follow in Jesus’ footsteps, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…No one comes to the Father except through Me.” you will find God there as well. So, whether Catholic or Christian or Protestant–as long as you follow a church that professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you will begin to have a more real relationship with God and you will then begin to see God operating in your life.

Know that God is a good God and that He will continue to call you until your last breath. So great is His love for you that He sent His only son into the world to save you. God’s people may have failed to show the kind of love He wants you to know, but God Himself has never failed you–and He never will.

God Rocks

So you left the Christian Church that Jesus built, the Catholic Church, to go to a Christian church a man built because it made you feel better? yep, makes sense to me…

 

[Tigg]

I left the Catholic church to attend a Christian church–not without sadness, as I had been brought up in the faith. But I never felt abandoned by God–only by His people. **While I believe Jesus resides in the sacrifice of the Mass and in the sacraments of the church, I did not always find him in the body of Christ. ** Not everyone who calls themself a Catholic or Christian truly understands or has a real relationship with Jesus and so religion becomes just a ritualistic practice.

Do you contradict yourself? The Presence of Christ is always in our tabernacles - even though the human element may fail, HE will not. Do you keep your eyes on the Divine Presence WHO is the only one to bring you joy and peace, or the corruptible human one inclined to sin?

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Thank you for directing me to “the Formal act of defection”

Sorry for not looking more carefully

Why do I want to officially leave? Because for a long time I was actively involved in my Parish while having no conviction that anything of what the priest said was true. One day I said to myself " you’re acting like a complete hypocrite" so I ceased all involvement.

If I were to continue to be registered “Catholic” it would only deepen my hypocrisy (If that makes sense)

I once felt this way…a long time ago…I just left…spent 20+ years in Protestant churches…till last year when I finally came home to where God has been leading me all along. This time I spent a lot of time learning what the Church REALLY teaches.

Don’t close the door for your return…and make sure you really investigate what/ who you are leaving. I sure wish I had

 

[dans0622]

Thank you for directing me to “the Formal act of defection”

Sorry for not looking more carefully…

Hello Alder,

You might find out that there is no longer such a thing as a “formal act of defection.” For several reasons, it has been removed from the law of the Church. (One reason being that people, Catholics included, thought this process actually made a Catholic into a non-Catholic or was reversing baptism. It did nothing of the sort.)

God bless you.

Dan

 

[puzzleannie]

Hello

This may be a touchy subject so I’ll make this post as brief as possible.

I’ve recently left Catholicism but I’ve learned that I may still be listed as Catholic on a register somewhere.

Is there any way I can terminate my involvement in the Church formally? I don’t want to be associated with this organisation anymore.

BTW. I’ve been Baptized (infant baptism) and confirmed (parents)

Cheers

no there is no way to change a historical event, as in being “unbaptized” or “unconfirmed” nor to erase the record of those events. Nor is there any to remove the ontological change in the soul worked by Christ through the Holy Spirit, which is eternal, and referred to as the “seal” of those sacraments. There is a process called “formal defection” from the Catholic Church which you can initiate by contacting your bishop, if for some reason you still care for some reason about cooperating with some such process of the Church. Why you would care I suppose is none of my business but you can ask the pastor or bishop’s office about what is involved. There would be notation on the sacramental record of your baptismal parish of this action, but the record itself would not be expunged (and by the way is not accessibly to anyone except yourself and the pastor of that parish). And yes formal defection still exists, but it is no longer automatic or assumed, as it was in the past in certain cases.

 

[CopticChristian]

Thank you for directing me to “the Formal act of defection”

Sorry for not looking more carefully

Why do I want to officially leave? Because for a long time I was actively involved in my Parish while having no conviction that anything of what the priest said was true. One day I said to myself " you’re acting like a complete hypocrite" so I ceased all involvement.

If I were to continue to be registered “Catholic” it would only deepen my hypocrisy (If that makes sense)

It sounds like you had your question answered. No one wants to be a hypocrite. You have decided that you just can’t be in the bosom of the Catholic Church. The deacon has pointed out the dichotomy of your decision.

You decide your present and your future. The past cannot change but you can learn from it. Now I don’t know where you walk in your journey but at least you have the courtesy to come to Catholic Answers and ask questions of Catholics. Oh yeah, you’ll probably find lots of questions and lots of suggestions about your decision and I could probably muster some.

I guess you believe in God. I guess you believe in a bible. I guess you believe in Jesus. You say you have convictions and have had some crisis in conscience. I wouldn’t even try to guess what they might be. I can only wonder.

You are concerned that your thoughts make sense. You have a memory of Baptism and Confirmation, whatever they are worth to you I do not know. I just have one question.

If you go to another church you will just have to get involved actively and follow some kind of authority and then who knows what your conscience will do?

You are leaving. If you are leaving you are going somewhere. If you don’t mind my asking are you just leaving because you do not believe in God or are you joining another church?

 

[dans0622]

…And yes formal defection still exists…

Hello,

Where?

Dan