Ex-Catholics Who Are Now Protestants

[MJJean]

As far as Ex-Catholics, I just often wonder how well they were catechized.

I know a few ex-Catholics who have left for other religions. I know a lot more who were raised catholic, attended Catholic schools, and left for no religion at all. Most of the ex-Catholics I know, and the area I grew up and still live in is positively littered with ex-Catholics, were fairly well cathechized.

My husbands family went to Mass every week regardless of where they were in the country on Sunday. My husband was well cathechized. So were his 4 siblings.

Out of my MIL and FIL’s 5 adult children, my husband is the only one who is part of the Catholic Church. And he just came back after more than 20 years. None of his 4 siblings, their spouses, or their children have anything to do with Catholicism or religion at all.

Out of my paternal grandparents 6 adult children, who were also regular Mass attendees and educated until high school in catholic schools, none are religious, none married Catholics or even married in the Church and none have ever taken their children to Mass.

When discussing Catholicism with all the ex-Catholics in my life the one thing they all have to say is the Church is too rigid, too slow to change, and full of bullpoop. A lot of ex-Catholics I have talked to in life and online think there are simply too many harsh rules and regulations, too much “unfairness”, hypocrisy, arrogance and bureaucracy.

In my opinion, the most common reasons for Catholics leaving the Church are sex and Marriage.

When I was a boy, in the 1940’s, divorce was not as common as it is today, and divorce for Catholics was unthinkable. In those days in the US, Church annulments were all but unknown except for the “rich and famous”. Many priests and Pastors would withhold the Sacraments from a divorced person, regardless of the reason for the divorce… Then, in the 1950’s and '60’s divorce became quite common in the US, and the Church became a bit more liberal and accepted divorced persons as long as they were not re-married or “living in sin”. Those divorced Catholics who re-married outside of the Church, often joined what ever church their new spouse belonged to. If both were Catholic, they often joined the Episcopalians.

They would meet and fall in love with a Protestant and marry outside of the Church. Quite often, these nominal Catholics would join whatever church their spouse belonged to.

I agree. Sex, marriage, contraception and divorce are the reasons I hear most from ex-Catholics who still believe in God. Most are divorced and either remarried or looking to remarry. Some are single and living with a long term partner with no intention of ever marrying. Others are single or married and unwilling to go along with the Church’s teaching on contraception.

A lot of divorced people believe the Church doesn’t want them, especially if they have remarried. They are also totally uneducated regarding even the possibility of their former marriages being declared null. They’ve never heard of convalidation. They think there is no way to make things right, so they leave for other faiths.

My husband and I both realized there was something missing, some void that needed to be filled. He is the one who figured out what we were missing was spirituality and he decided to go with what he knew from childhood and seek out a priest to talk to. He made the decision to return to the Catholicism. A few months of soul searching later, I also met with the same priest and decided to convert.

I was Baptized Lutheran as an infant, but never really practiced any faith. I was married at 19, separated at 24, my divorce was final when I was 28, married my husband that same year.

Of course, this presented a problem. I cannot complete the conversion process and receive the Sacraments until my former marriage is declared null (considering the circumstances, the priest and I have no doubt we will get the Decree of Nullity) and my current marriage convalidated. My husband cannot receive the Sacraments, either. We are considered to be living in sin and committing adultery. Once this was explained to us, my husband and I were upset, sad, hurt…

I delved deeper into my research to learn the what’s and why’s. I talked with our priest and read a lot. I found that even once I have a Decree of Nullity in hand our marriage will still not be recognized because my husband was a Baptized Catholic who married in a civil ceremony without dispensation.

One of the first things my husband said was “So, we cannot receive Sacraments until the Decree of Nullity is issued and we have to have a convalidation ceremony to be seen as married? And this is likely to take about a year? But we could walk down the road to the Lutheran church and be able to receive Communion and be recognized as a married couple?” I said “Yes.” He immediately asked why we don’t just do that and save ourselves the trouble. He was very frustrated and upset. I held firm to help him through, but still the thought was there and he might really have left Catholicism again to join a Lutheran church.

There is an interesting connection between Jews and Catholics: The most virulent Anti-Semitics in the world are apostate Jews; and, the most virulent anti-catholics are not Fundamentalist or Pentacostal Protestants - they are ex-Catholics!

Ain’t that the truth! When I started “coming out” as converting to Catholicism the people who were most horrified and discouraging were those who used to be Catholic.

 

[bitznbitez]

Check out CCC #'s 818, 819, 836, 837 & 838

This is a great suggestion. If you have not already done so feel free.

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm#I

No matter what some Lutherans might think, they lack succession.

BTW. I passed thru the LCMS for several years before finally becoming Catholic last easter.

Welcome !

 

[LegoGE1947]

I know a few ex-Catholics who have left for other religions. I know a lot more who were raised catholic, attended Catholic schools, and left for no religion at all. Most of the ex-Catholics I know, and the area I grew up and still live in is positively littered with ex-Catholics, were fairly well cathechized.

My husbands family went to Mass every week regardless of where they were in the country on Sunday. My husband was well cathechized. So were his 4 siblings.

Out of my MIL and FIL’s 5 adult children, my husband is the only one who is part of the Catholic Church. And he just came back after more than 20 years. None of his 4 siblings, their spouses, or their children have anything to do with Catholicism or religion at all.

Out of my paternal grandparents 6 adult children, who were also regular Mass attendees and educated until high school in catholic schools, none are religious, none married Catholics or even married in the Church and none have ever taken their children to Mass.

When discussing Catholicism with all the ex-Catholics in my life the one thing they all have to say is the Church is too rigid, too slow to change, and full of bullpoop. A lot of ex-Catholics I have talked to in life and online think there are simply too many harsh rules and regulations, too much “unfairness”, hypocrisy, arrogance and bureaucracy.

I agree. Sex, marriage, contraception and divorce are the reasons I hear most from ex-Catholics who still believe in God. Most are divorced and either remarried or looking to remarry. Some are single and living with a long term partner with no intention of ever marrying. Others are single or married and unwilling to go along with the Church’s teaching on contraception.

A lot of divorced people believe the Church doesn’t want them, especially if they have remarried. They are also totally uneducated regarding even the possibility of their former marriages being declared null. They’ve never heard of convalidation. They think there is no way to make things right, so they leave for other faiths.

My husband and I both realized there was something missing, some void that needed to be filled. He is the one who figured out what we were missing was spirituality and he decided to go with what he knew from childhood and seek out a priest to talk to. He made the decision to return to the Catholicism. A few months of soul searching later, I also met with the same priest and decided to convert.

I was Baptized Lutheran as an infant, but never really practiced any faith. I was married at 19, separated at 24, my divorce was final when I was 28, married my husband that same year.

Of course, this presented a problem. I cannot complete the conversion process and receive the Sacraments until my former marriage is declared null (considering the circumstances, the priest and I have no doubt we will get the Decree of Nullity) and my current marriage convalidated. My husband cannot receive the Sacraments, either. We are considered to be living in sin and committing adultery. Once this was explained to us, my husband and I were upset, sad, hurt…

I delved deeper into my research to learn the what’s and why’s. I talked with our priest and read a lot. I found that even once I have a Decree of Nullity in hand our marriage will still not be recognized because my husband was a Baptized Catholic who married in a civil ceremony without dispensation.

One of the first things my husband said was “So, we cannot receive Sacraments until the Decree of Nullity is issued and we have to have a convalidation ceremony to be seen as married? And this is likely to take about a year? But we could walk down the road to the Lutheran church and be able to receive Communion and be recognized as a married couple?” I said “Yes.” He immediately asked why we don’t just do that and save ourselves the trouble. He was very frustrated and upset. I held firm to help him through, but still the thought was there and he might really have left Catholicism again to join a Lutheran church.

Ain’t that the truth! When I started “coming out” as converting to Catholicism the people who were most horrified and discouraging were those who used to be Catholic.

Strangely, one of the most discouraging persons was the Sister who was teaching RCIA:shrug:

 

[Isaiah45_9]

The Catechism like it has been pointed out.

Also, I’d like to suggest you read Dominus Iesus, it might help you understand better the interaction of the Catholic Church on Earth.

From Dominus Iesus:

IV. UNICITY AND UNITY OF THE CHURCH

1. The Lord Jesus, the only Saviour, did not only establish a simple community of disciples, but constituted the Church as a salvific mystery: he himself is in the Church and the Church is in him (cf. Jn 15:1ff.; Gal 3:28; Eph 4:15-16; Acts 9:5). Therefore, the fullness of Christ’s salvific mystery belongs also to the Church, inseparably united to her Lord. Indeed, Jesus Christ continues his presence and his work of salvation in the Church and by means of the Church (cf. Col 1:24-27),47 which is his body (cf. 1 Cor 12:12-13, 27; Col 1:18).48 And thus, just as the head and members of a living body, though not identical, are inseparable, so too Christ and the Church can neither be confused nor separated, and constitute a single “whole Christ”.49 This same inseparability is also expressed in the New Testament by the analogy of the Church as the Bride of Christ (cf. 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25-29; Rev 21:2,9).50

Therefore, in connection with the unicity and universality of the salvific mediation of Jesus Christ, the unicity of the Church founded by him must be firmly believed as a truth of Catholic faith. Just as there is one Christ, so there exists a single body of Christ, a single Bride of Christ: “a single Catholic and apostolic Church”.51 Furthermore, the promises of the Lord that he would not abandon his Church (cf. Mt 16:18; 28:20) and that he would guide her by his Spirit (cf. Jn 16:13) mean, according to Catholic faith, that the unicity and the unity of the Church — like everything that belongs to the Church’s integrity — will never be lacking.52

The Catholic faithful are required to profess that there is an historical continuity — rooted in the apostolic succession53 — between the Church founded by Christ and the Catholic Church: “This is the single Church of Christ… which our Saviour, after his resurrection, entrusted to Peter’s pastoral care (cf. Jn 21:17), commissioning him and the other Apostles to extend and rule her (cf. Mt 28:18ff.), erected for all ages as ‘the pillar and mainstay of the truth’ (1 Tim 3:15). This Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in [subsistit in] the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him”.54 With the expression subsistit in, the Second Vatican Council sought to harmonize two doctrinal statements: on the one hand, that the Church of Christ, despite the divisions which exist among Christians, continues to exist fully only in the Catholic Church, and on the other hand, that “outside of her structure, many elements can be found of sanctification and truth”,55 that is, in those Churches and ecclesial communities which are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church.56 But with respect to these, it needs to be stated that “they derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church”.57

1. Therefore, there exists a single Church of Christ, which subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him.58 The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular Churches.59 Therefore, the Church of Christ is present and operative also in these Churches, even though they lack full communion with the Catholic Church, since they do not accept the Catholic doctrine of the Primacy, which, according to the will of God, the Bishop of Rome objectively has and exercises over the entire Church.60

On the other hand, the ecclesial communities which have not preserved the valid Episcopate and the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic mystery,61 are not Churches in the proper sense; however, those who are baptized in these communities are, by Baptism, incorporated in Christ and thus are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the Church.62 Baptism in fact tends per se toward the full development of life in Christ, through the integral profession of faith, the Eucharist, and full communion in the Church.63

“The Christian faithful are therefore not permitted to imagine that the Church of Christ is nothing more than a collection — divided, yet in some way one — of Churches and ecclesial communities; nor are they free to hold that today the Church of Christ nowhere really exists, and must be considered only as a goal which all Churches and ecclesial communities must strive to reach”.64 In fact, “the elements of this already-given Church exist, joined together in their fullness in the Catholic Church and, without this fullness, in the other communities”.65 “Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such, though we believe they suffer from defects, have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church”.66

The lack of unity among Christians is certainly a wound for the Church; not in the sense that she is deprived of her unity, but “in that it hinders the complete fulfilment of her universality in history”.67

 

[Peter_J]

EvangelCatholic, but do not many Catholics here reject that ELCA are in apostolic succession? I know TEC believes they are in apostolic succession but Roman Catholics say no.

I’d like to tack on (in case any readers get confused here) that Rome did, in fact, confirm that Anglicans lost Apostolic Succession way-back-when … but doesn’t say one way or the other whether they have since regained AS (by entering into communion with the Old Catholics).

 

[Peter_J]

                 Originally Posted by **rcwitness**

There ought to be rule that nobody can spend more time on internet discussion forums than they spend reading the CCC, Vatican II documents, joint declarations, the bible, etc.

(I’m not saying it would be a *popular *rule. )

 

[Peter_J]

While I was taking RCIA classes and investigating the faith, a number of ex-Catholics who are now strong Christians in the Protestant faith advised me not to convert

I’ve never been protestant, so I can’t relate to them directly … but I think I can indirectly, having known numerous departing-Catholics – and having tried to convince them to stay.

 

[JonNC]

I’d like to tack on (in case any readers get confused here) that Rome did, in fact, confirm that Anglicans lost Apostolic Succession way-back-when … but doesn’t say one way or the other whether they have since regained AS (by entering into communion with the Old Catholics).

And I don’t believe Rome has ever stated, pro or con, regarding Lutherans who continued to ordain via bishops laying on of hands.

Jon

 

[GKC]

I’d like to tack on (in case any readers get confused here) that Rome did, in fact, confirm that Anglicans lost Apostolic Succession way-back-when … but doesn’t say one way or the other whether they have since regained AS (by entering into communion with the Old Catholics).

AFAIK - yep.

GKC

 

[Isaiah45_9]

There ought to be rule that nobody can spend more time on internet discussion forums than they spend reading the CCC, Vatican II documents, joint declarations, the bible, etc.

(I’m not saying it would be a *popular *rule. )

 

[Alizarin]

I think converts probably know and appreciate more about the Church than some of us cradle Catholics do. They know more about the rich history, the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. All of the richness rather than just the week to week trodging along.

Speaking as someone who converted to the RCC and then last year left it to go back to my Protestant roots, the convert you describe above is exactly who I was. But that rich, wonderful, united, unwavering, holy Catholic church I saw in theory wasn’t the one I encountered in practice. Eventually the difference between the two things gets too great, and something has to give.

In reference to the OP, nowadays as a Protestant Christian I just trust that faith is enough.

 

[MJJean]

Strangely, one of the most discouraging persons was the Sister who was teaching RCIA:shrug:

The Sister handling RCIA in my parish is very encouraging. She and Father have been quite understanding, accepting, kind and helpful. They took the time to listen to me, to explain what I needed to do to move forward (Nullity of 1st marriage and RCIA etc) and they gave me hope.

If I had run into a priest or nun who actively discouraged me and did not take the time to explain to me what I needed to do to make things right my husband and I would probably be preparing to head for Lutheran services instead of Mass this coming Sunday.

 

[adf417]

Speaking as someone who converted to the RCC and then last year left it to go back to my Protestant roots, the convert you describe above is exactly who I was. But that rich, wonderful, united, unwavering, holy Catholic church I saw in theory wasn’t the one I encountered in practice. Eventually the difference between the two things gets too great, and something has to give.

In reference to the OP, nowadays as a Protestant Christian I just trust that faith is enough.

Interesting! Why did you join the Catholic Church?

Peace!

 

[Alizarin]

Interesting! Why did you join the Catholic Church?

Because it looked “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic”. And because of the sacraments.

But I found it terribly divided, not any holier than any other church, hardly universal, and apostolic succession didn’t seem so important after reading the NT again and seeing Peter needing correcting by Paul.

As to the sacaments, they didn’t seem to work. If they were effective channels of grace, we should all be a lot holier I’d think. I sure wasn’t.

Hope that doesn’t sound too sharp. Just trying to be honest about it.

 

[Michael57]

I’ll refer you to this thread: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=806673

Really? I think what you assert there as fact, to many, is nothing of the sort. Merely your opinion.

Until the Catholic Church recognizes what you claim to be “Apostolic succession” it will remain (along with other issues of doctrine and practice) a divide between Lutherans and Catholics. But you can say what you think as often as you wish.

[And God bless you! Your desire for Christian unity is strongly and regularly expressed, so that I find myself wondering when you will go through RCIA and enter into true unity of worship and full and legitimate communion in every sense of the word with the Catholic Church?

Come on now! You’re already visiting Mass and taking Catholic communion, as you’ve posted elsewhere, so why not go just one step further and become Catholic through the accepted Rites of the Church? ]

That being said, back to the OP - >

I was a convert late in life. I eventually came to understand that for me, only the Catholic Church had a satisfying grasp on the teachings of Jesus Christ (who I always believed to be the only Begotten Son of God, I never lost faith in God, even though I walked away from “religion”). It simply “clicked” into place for me. All my questions and confusion just dropped away. It was like getting new eyes and ears.

So, this works for me. I understand that others may differ on their faith and choice of denomination, and I wish them all well. God bless them all.

My walk in faith is Catholic. The Catholic Church holds all the Sacraments and Teachings that will help me conform more into the image of my Lord, though I have very far to go.

I am a Christian in good standing according to any of the denominations that I have ever attended or studied, according to their teachings, so my choosing to worship in the Catholic Church, and in full communion with Her, does not violate the tenet of “Once Saved Always Saved” as they teach it, even though I have a different perspective.

Catholicism satisfies my soul. So why should it matter to anyone else anyway?

God bless you and keep you. Welcome to the Forums.

 

[Michael57]

There is a portion of the Catechism that address salvation for those who are not Catholic.
It’s probably in the section “I believe in the holy catholic Church.” ???
If you don’t have a Catechism, I know one is available online. Just type in Catholic Catechism.

Or click HERE

(there, fixed it for ya)

 

[Adamski]

I left the church for an evangelical church in my 20’s because I was told at catholic church and by my catholic parents all churches where the same and it was fine because we are all good people and going to heaven anyway.

I returned to the catholic church because that didn’t match the bible, I was tired of the arguing at the evangelical bible studies(sola scriptora), I saw how once saved always saved destroys families, and the rosary healed me instantly

But the major moment was at the evangical church we where asked to stand up and talk about the best Christian example in our lives. I described my deceased grandmother who went to daily mass, was kind to all and was healed from being blind through prayer. The pastors brother stood up and screamed she is in hell because she is catholic.

 

[adf417]

Because it looked “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic”. And because of the sacraments.

But I found it terribly divided, not any holier than any other church, hardly universal, and apostolic succession didn’t seem so important after reading the NT again and seeing Peter needing correcting by Paul.

As to the sacaments, they didn’t seem to work. If they were effective channels of grace, we should all be a lot holier I’d think. I sure wasn’t.

Hope that doesn’t sound too sharp. Just trying to be honest about it.

Thanks for your honesty Alizarin!
I see you recognized the importance of the OHCA Church. Did you find this OHCA that has all perfect and holy people in it after leaving the Catholic Church? If so I would like to join you if I can.

Did you learn in RCIA (I assume you went through RCIA) that the sacraments were there to make us a lot more holy like drinking a glass of elixir?

Peace!!!

 

[Peter_J]

Because it looked “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic”. And because of the sacraments.

But I found it terribly divided, not any holier than any other church, hardly universal, and apostolic succession didn’t seem so important after reading the NT again and seeing Peter needing correcting by Paul.

As to the sacaments, they didn’t seem to work. If they were effective channels of grace, we should all be a lot holier I’d think. I sure wasn’t.

Hope that doesn’t sound too sharp. Just trying to be honest about it.

I don’t think that sounds too sharp. It sounds to me like, at the time you became Catholic, you had only listened to people advising you to convert and nobody advising you not to.

 

[LegoGE1947]

I don’t think that sounds too sharp. It sounds to me like, at the time you became Catholic, you had only listened to people advising you to convert and nobody advising you not to.

Not everyone you will meet in the Catholic Church fits the description of “holy.” Yes there are divisions in the Church on earth but the Church is still one. It has never been totally pristine even in New Testament times because it is made up of human beings. If you look only at what you see of the church on earth, you will be disappointed, but this is not all there is to it. There is that great unseen group that is in heaven who are beholding God face-to-face, also those who are undergoing purging for the sins left over from their lives on earth. And, unfortunately, there are those who didn’t make it either to heaven or purgatory, such as Judas, even though he was one of Jesus’ best friends. If the Church were only a human institution, it would have gone “belly-up” long ago. I had the same stuff when I became a Protestant 40 years ago. I only listened to those who advised me to convert but nobody advised me not to. More recently in 2002, when I began to think about Catholicism, I did listen to both sides of the story. I wound up converting but it was my decision and not someone else deciding for me.