Fallen away Catholics are still Catholic Whether they know it or not?

[Gabriel_of_12]

Why do you think a fallen away Catholic falls away from the Church’s teachings, or become disobedient to what aspect of the Catholic Church?

…

…i can only speak from my own experience on this question.the answer is sin…the sacrement of reconcillation was the frist to go on my list…ie what good is saying a few prayers going to do.

The sacrament of reconciliation is what brings us back to God. The heavenly angels in heaven rejoices of one sinner who repents.

I believe getting informed of what the sacrament really is. Then your doubts will be answered. You see in the sacraments we believe Jesus is truly present where two or more are gathered in his name. I believe if you went to confession and saw Jesus standing there , you would repent everything. Well he is! really present in his sacraments, that is his promise,

One thing Catholics walk by faith not by sight (especially in the Eucharist). Catholics dont fear God, Catholics greatest fear is losing God.

Your are right, it’s hard to come to God when one is carrying pride. And yes from the sin of pride come many vices. Jesus can set us free, Reconciliation.

 

[Hesychios]

What is God’s is God’s. The Catholic Church cannot divorce what God has joined together.

Now there has been some Catholics that have been excommunicated from communion with the Church, because of an unrepentative act, or heretical teaching…

As far as deleting a non practicing Catholic, I have never heard of such a thing in my short life.

That’s fine.

I am wondering if this principle (as you describe it) is applied when the figures for the Annuario Pontificio are calculated.

Michael

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Well, I was raised Catholic, did the Baptism, Confession, 1st Communion, Confirmation, Marriage things in the Catholic Church. But I was never sure of my status.

**I have come across many fallen away Catholics along those same lines. Born under a Catholic household what we call cradelcatholics, and not sure what to believe other than what our parents or guardians told us. To be honest, as I came of age, I found myself teaching my lifelong practicing Catholic parents about the Catholic Faith.

My point is ,many influences about the Catholic faith from others growing up, we came to believe and trust that it was Catholic teaching when it was not, it was a cultural thing. **

Since that time I started to research Catholicism, out of curiosity, and realized that even if the Nuns were correct and I was party to an abortion I could be forgiven in the Catholic Church… I had no clue, went to Catholic schools from 6th grade through high school, went to Catholic summer camp at ages 9-11 and I had no CLUE, that I could be forgiven from within the Catholic Church.

I CAN COME HOME!!!

**You Sure can, and God and his Church are just waiting looking down the road for you to come back, we miss you. Your going to find that the Catholic Church is soaked in scripture, and She has a divine life through her sacraments. Remember there is no sin confessed that God will not forgive.

You have a great testimony for God’s people when you come back home., and witness to the world.**

I am in the process, although it is difficult. I wish I could have a big chunk of my life back, but hey, I’m looking forward…

To answer your original post, I never knew it was my decision, I thought I was kicked out… I’m ecstatic that I can remain within the Catholic faith and will embrace it with a new found vigor…

**You are Catholic, just come back to communion with abba Father and his family, His body the Catholic Church.

Praying a rosary for you**

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I ran across this passage in a wonderful book and it really speaks well to the idea of faith vs religion and why I would never completely submit my concsience to any church.

**This is understandable if your on the outside looking in, it makes perfect sense,…If it were true, but its not.

What I see here is the intellect confused with spiritual eternal realities.

One cannot have religion without faith, nor faith without religion.

Religion is how God is worshipped, and this comes by faith.

The commands of Jesus, and how his Church administers his commands and teachings to the world is what your contesting, Not religion, its the teachings of Jesus Christ through his body the Church. Truth is what transforms the natural intellect, raising it into the spiritual realities of God.

If intellect does not possess Truth, then it remains in limbo of the natural laws,of man and nature. Thus a confused definition of Religion.**

In summary; religion and faith is like water and spirit, in the natural they dont mix, but in the supernatural one is born again.

Faith and understanding

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

All of us unless we attend mass are in mortal sin for missing mass.

Not so, There are just reasons for missing Mass on Sunday or holy days of obligations., these do not lead to mortal sin, although a practicing Catholic who willingly misses a Sunday Mass or holy day of obligation has committed a mortal Sin.

If I understand correctly we must partake of the Eucharist to fulfill our Sunday obligation,

That is not true. If one is in mortal sin, can attend mass, but refrains from the Eucharist, to keep from profaning the body of Jesus Christ. A Catholic can take a spiritual communion.

but if we do not consider ourselves in communion with the Catholic Church then we cannot partake of the Eucharist worthily and to do so is a mortal sin

Another incorrect statement. if you are not in communion with the Catholic Church, you cannot partake of the Eucharist, less you bring judgement on yourself for the body of Christ. These are not man made laws you find disagreement on, their are God’s law.
Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-27

. It also seems that attempting to partake of the sacrament of reconciliation would be problematic if one did not believe correctly too, but perhaps this is less concrete than the above.

If you had the correct understanding of the ministry of Reconciliation I could discuss this with you, from above it appears you dont, so dont knock it until you rightly understand and try it.

I am all for prayers and I am happy that I am a baptized and confirmed Catholic. As a LDS, I even thought about the baptism I preformed on my son. As a Social Trinitarian, none of the reasons offered for LDS baptism being invalid are applicable to me (and I used the proper words and matter). Still, the ordinary magesterium has declared LDS baptism invalid. In truth, I find it hard to see how there reasons can apply to me, but perhaps they do. That being said, my son is surely invincibly ignorant as I have taught him only that the CoJCoLDS is true and he should respect folks of other faiths.

Now that you brought your son in the picture, if your son decides to join another religion or different faith than yours are you going to respect his new found true?, besides are you going to give him the liberty to search for what he thinks is true, like you apparently did?

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander? is that how that goes?

 

[JRKH]

**This is understandable if your on the outside looking in, it makes perfect sense,…If it were true, but its not.

What I see here is the intellect confused with spiritual eternal realities.

One cannot have religion without faith, nor faith without religion.**

Which came first the Faith or the Religion? This is the point

Religion is how God is worshipped, and this comes by faith.

Intellect can possess Truth, but it will always be a limited understanding of Truth because this level/plane/dimension cannot contain all that is “I AM”

In summary; religion and faith is like water and spirit, in the natural they dont mix, but in the supernatural one is born again.

Faith and understanding

Yes one is born again by faith. Religion only provides a structure within which to develop ones faith and come closer to God the Father.
Where religion hinders ones seeking, one must follow ones own concsience.
Another section of the book I quoted earlier refers to the soul answering Gods question What will it be? (Life or Death). Once that answer is given, the soul approaches God through darkness without the crutch of creed or religion. It is just the soul seeking God. (This is paraphrased)
This really hit home with me.

Gotta go
James

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I am finding you to disagree and then agree, so I will not use my meanings I will use your own.

Yes one is born again by faith. Religion only provides a structure within which to develop ones faith and come closer to God the Father.

I could put this in other words, but your’s suffices for now, from the above statement I cant disagree.

Where religion hinders ones seeking, one must follow ones own concsience.

**Now this above statement is a double standard, first you say, “religiion developes ones faith and come closer to God the Father to get closer to God” And then you conflict that understanding with “Religion hinders one seeking, one must follow ones own concsience”,

So which is it by your own words a double standard exists, there is no truth in this because True Truth does not conflict

So I ask , which is it that Religion does, according to your words, does “Religion developes ones faith and come closer To God the Father” or does “Religion hinders one seeking, one must follow ones own concsience”

This is very dangerous area when one is asked to follow ones own concsience, you will end up with thousands upon thousands of interpretations of Truth, not to mention religions, and different way of faiths, and belief systems, Is this how you came to knowChristianity, by your own conscience, no one taught you the ways of the Lord, Just love God, and Love my neighbor, The enemies of God do these things, In your definition, are they saved?.**

Another section of the book I quoted earlier refers to the soul answering Gods question What will it be? (Life or Death). Once that answer is given, the soul approaches God through darkness without the crutch of creed or religion.

Now religion and creed (oaths) are a crutch. So now The everlasting Covenant (oath) is God’s crutch to man. Unbelievable
It is just the soul seeking God. (This is paraphrased)
This really hit home with me.

**Man has intellect , soul, body and a self will. Religion feeds all of them that is necessary, to commune with God in his covenant (oath, creed). Covenant = oath= sacramentum= sacrament= to swear an oath, in this oath we become partakers of his divine nature, under the authority of Jesus who administers these gifts to man through his apostolic authority on earth, which you call Religion. **

Peace be with you

 

[JRKH]

I am finding you to disagree and then agree, so I will not use my meanings I will use your own.

I’m sorry I am not being clear enough. The road of faith is not linear I’m afraid.

Yes one is born again by faith. Religion only provides a structure within which to develop ones faith and come closer to God the Father.

I could put this in other words, but your’s suffices for now, from the above statement I cant disagree.

OK. So we agree that religion provides structure, but faith is the key. Look at it this way, I can have faith without religion and still have a shot at knowing God. But religion without faith is a dead-end.

Where religion hinders ones seeking, one must follow ones own concsience.

**Now this above statement is a double standard, first you say, “religiion developes ones faith and come closer to God the Father to get closer to God” And then you conflict that understanding with “Religion hinders one seeking, one must follow ones own concsience”,

So which is it by your own words a double standard exists, there is no truth in this because True Truth does not conflict**

The flaw here is you are taking qualified statements and reading them as unqualified.
Religion onlyprovides a structure within which…
Where religion hinders…
You are not seeing the qualifiers here. Or perhaps I’m not being clear enough.
Of course religion is necessary for most people, including myself, to help further the seeking of Truth. However I have found no religion that has no “troublesome” tenets for me. This isn’t to say a particular religion is good or bad, but it is not a glove fit.
Now I could be distracted by these diferences of opinions, (which, unfortunately, I sometimes am) or I can leave them aside and continue to try to conform myself to what God wants me to be.

So I ask , which is it that Religion does, according to your words, does “Religion developes ones faith and come closer To God the Father” or does “Religion hinders one seeking, one must follow ones own concsience”

Religion by itself does neither. Religion, by itself is a set of beliefs, dogmas and rubrics. The structure that religion provides is a tool that one uses to help guide the faith journey. However, ones spiritual development must follow the path to God, not the path to religion.

This is very dangerous area when one is asked to follow ones own concsience, you will end up with thousands upon thousands of interpretations of Truth, not to mention religions, and different way of faiths, and belief systems, Is this how you came to knowChristianity, by your own conscience, no one taught you the ways of the Lord, Just love God, and Love my neighbor, The enemies of God do these things, In your definition, are they saved?

You have much here to be addressed.
First of all, as a cradle catholic I learned of “Christianity”, and more particularly Catholocism, through my family and the parochial school system of the 1960’s. However, after leaving the Church in the 1970’s, I learned much more about Jesus, and His teachings in and of themselves. I also learned about some of the other paths developed independently of Christianity that had some of the same beliefs.
When I returned to the Church last year, it was to gain some structure. To return to the sacraments - especially the eucharist - and become a better follower of God through the example of Jesus.
By the way, do you really think that the enemies of God Love Him as you state above?

Another section of the book I quoted earlier refers to the soul answering Gods question What will it be? (Life or Death). Once that answer is given, the soul approaches God through darkness without the crutch of creed or religion.

Now religion and creed (oaths) are a crutch. So now The everlasting Covenant (oath) is God’s crutch to man. Unbelievable

I’m sorry that this offends you but yes they are a crutch.
Did Abraham have a religion and creed to know how to follow God?
Do you think that when you come before God he will first ask for your religious affiliation and demand a recitation of your creed?
When the soul approaches God it will be alone. One on one.

It is just the soul seeking God. (This is paraphrased)
This really hit home with me.

**Man has intellect , soul, body and a self will. Religion feeds all of them that is necessary, to commune with God in his covenant (oath, creed). Covenant = oath= sacramentum= sacrament= to swear an oath, in this oath we become partakers of his divine nature, under the authority of Jesus who administers these gifts to man through his apostolic authority on earth, which you call Religion. **

Man has the gifts you mention but each in a unique balance and blend. Yes God provides what is necessary, but one must be willing to seek and be willing to bare oneself before God. One must strip oneself of everything of this world.
I accept the Church and her authority as Christ’s temporal representative. I am greatful for it’s teachings and it’s structure, and the sacraments.

I sense that you believe that by conforming yourself to the Church you are also conforming yourself to Gods will. That may be all well and good for you. It fits with the way God has gifted you. My path travels somewhat differently based on the way God has gifted me.
I Love My Lord and My God.
I hope to see you on the other side when our times are fulfilled.
We’ll probably both have some good laughs at how silly we both were.

Peace
James

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

By the way, do you really think that the enemies of God Love Him as you state above?

No, the enemies of God love each other as neighbors, and Their false gods the father of lies.

I’m sorry that this offends you but yes they are a crutch.
Did Abraham have a religion and creed to know how to follow God?

** “No offense taken” Yes his religion, was sacraficing unto the Lord God, his covenants were done in the name of religion, by oath (creed) swearing, for them to be bleesed by God, or should he fail his covenant curses, and sacrifice offerings before God, Paying tithes to a high priest Melchizedeck who offered (religion) sacrifice in the form of bread and wine, to which Jesus our lord fulfilled.**

Do you think that when you come before God he will first ask for your religious affiliation and demand a recitation of your creed?
When the soul approaches God it will be alone. One on one.

**Again No, I believe God will judge me by my faith and works as the book of James describes. As far as my religious affiliation, this is where our opinions of religion differ in the definition. I see religion not in mans laws or institutions, but a way in which God revealed to man on how to commune with him in our present time and in the eternals. Religion is the instruction God gives man to seperate himself from the world to God himself. My religion is my faith, practiced to participate in Gods divinity, and reconcile me when I fall away, my religion keeps me in the graces of God that he himself through his Son Jesus instituted.

I see where, the word religion when thinking in a broad sense can leave a distaste in ones mouth. When I define it as the tool God gave his church to administer his grace to his people in life and in death. **

I sense that you believe that by conforming yourself to the Church you are also conforming yourself to Gods will.

**You are correct, I believe this because The Church is the body of Jesus Christ. To whom is my bridegroom, I am married to my Lord, and we renew our vows every sunday in the Mass, he speaks to me in the liturgy of the word, and I respond in my marriage vows the creedo (oath), Jesus consumates our marriage in the liturgy of the Eucharist , where Jesus is in me and I in him, that we both become one body in him, I call this his sacraficial Religion.

I have no doubt what so ever that you love our Lord, It has been my experience though, that those who have left the Catholic Church, and come back with scripture teaching from protestant faiths, will find the scriptures taken to another level when they learn the Catholic teachings, through the sacraments.**
Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be also with You James

 

[JRKH]

Thanks for the candid conversation. I find very little that we disagree on here. (tomato - tomawto again)

JRKH;3318162:

By the way, do you really think that the enemies of God Love Him as you state above?

No, the enemies of God love each other as neighbors, and Their false gods the father of lies.

I must have mis-understood your ealrier post

I’m sorry that this offends you but yes they are a crutch.
Did Abraham have a religion and creed to know how to follow God?

** “No offense taken” Yes his religion, was sacraficing unto the Lord God, his covenants were done in the name of religion, by oath (creed) swearing, for them to be bleesed by God, or should he fail his covenant curses, and sacrifice offerings before God, Paying tithes to a high priest Melchizedeck who offered (religion) sacrifice in the form of bread and wine, to which Jesus our lord fulfilled.**

I suppose that “a crutch” has a bad connotation to it for many, but not to someone who is ill, which is what we are as sinners.
I like your defense of the Abrahamic covenant. You are right. His religion became following the direct instruction from God. What and when to sacrifice; obeying God’s commands etc. The interesting thing here is that it is by direct command of God. Not through any earthy intermediary but from God Himself communicated directly to Abraham.

Do you think that when you come before God he will first ask for your religious affiliation and demand a recitation of your creed?
When the soul approaches God it will be alone. One on one.

Again No, I believe God will judge me by my faith and works as the book of James describes. As far as my religious affiliation, this is where our opinions of religion differ in the definition. I see religion not in mans laws or institutions, but a way in which God revealed to man on how to commune with him in our present time and in the eternals. Religion is the instruction God gives man to seperate himself from the world to God himself. My religion is my faith, practiced to participate in Gods divinity, and reconcile me when I fall away, my religion keeps me in the graces of God that he himself through his Son Jesus instituted.

Very well put. However I would put to you that religion, those instructions, are (in most cases) “guides” and not “legislation”. Too often I see people on this board who are concerned with violating the most mundane “rules”. (saw a thread about “naming guardian angels” earlier) These kinds of things are what give me the willies. To me it screams of legalism instead of faith.
Remember that I’m not pointing at you specifically…

**I see where, the word religion when thinking in a broad sense can leave a distaste in ones mouth. When I define it as the tool God gave his church to administer his grace to his people in life and in death. **

Honestly I don’t have a problem with the word religion per se.

I sense that you believe that by conforming yourself to the Church you are also conforming yourself to Gods will.

You are correct, I believe this because The Church is the body of Jesus Christ. To whom is my bridegroom, I am married to my Lord, and we renew our vows every sunday in the Mass, he speaks to me in the liturgy of the word, and I respond in my marriage vows the creedo (oath), Jesus consumates our marriage in the liturgy of the Eucharist , where Jesus is in me and I in him, that we both become one body in him, I call this his sacraficial Religion.

Beautifully Put. You are blessed indeed.

I have no doubt what so ever that you love our Lord, It has been my experience though, that those who have left the Catholic Church, and come back with scripture teaching from protestant faiths, will find the scriptures taken to another level when they learn the Catholic teachings, through the sacraments.

Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be also with You James
First let me say that I have no, “scripture teaching from protestant faiths”. All the research I did was between me and the HS. I purposely kept it that way. Those times where I did get into discussions with Protestants I was not impressed.

I do try to Love my Lord with all my heart. He has been so incredibly good to me through my life, even when I wasn’t worthy. Unfortunately, he has also given me a “busy brain”. Guess that is my cross.

Peace
James

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I like your defense of the Abrahamic covenant. You are right. His religion became following the direct instruction from God. What and when to sacrifice; obeying God’s commands etc. The interesting thing here is that it is by direct command of God. Not through any earthy intermediary but from God Himself communicated directly to Abraham.

Yes God directly spoke instructions to Abraham on how to practice his religious faith, and this got handed on… The parallel I would like to make is Jesus the Son of God directly instructed the apostles to baptize, teach, preach, feed his flock,and do in memory of him many things, in his new and everlasting covenant.That today is why the 2000 year old Catholic church is stll doing here, to teach all new generations till Jesus comes back for his bride, these same 2000 year old teachings that have come down to us unchanged. As Abraham handed down circumcision and sacrafices all the way down to God sacraficing his own Son Jesus, to which the angel of the Lord withheld Abrahams hand from sacraficing his own son.

I am enjoying your company on these threads, hope to speak more with you.

God bless you, and Peace be with you.

 

[SIA]

To those Catholics who are no longer practicing the Catholic faith and claim no longer to be Catholic. Did you know your baptism still remains thus you still are Catholic. Could you comment about the sacraments you may have taken?

What caused you to stop practicing your Catholic faith?

I hope we might be able to clear up your misgivings of the Catholic faith.

Non Catholics are welcome to dialogue What they hate about the Catholic church.

I pray Catholics will respond with Love and understanding , to practice the virtues of our faith, given to us by the Holy Spirit.

I must respond by saying that I am not fallen away. I chose to leave and be received into another denomination by my own choosing. Regardless of what you or anyone else says, I am not Roman Catholic. I was baptized and received the Catholic sacrements, but I am Anglican, not Roman Catholic.

 

[fbl9]

SIA you are still baptised whether you like it or not.choosing to leave and falling away are the same thing. in order to leave the catholic faith one needs to not beleive that the catholic church is not the true church.that the catholic church is the true church is something you should have been at least taught when you were in the church.hence you fell away from what you were taught.or at least one of the doctrines of the church which you express disbeilf in. i am not asking which one(s) or looking for debate.

 

[ibkc]

if pushed, all Christians would admit to being “catholic”. just not in the way the roman catholic church would teach it. we don’t believe in a physical building, structure, or hierarchy that represents the catholic church. all Christians make up the catholic church. the roman catholic church is just one of those manifestations.

I would argue that with you forever. I know/know of many Christians who don’t know what “catholic” means and do not care to learn, and certainly wouldn’t voluntarily say that they are part of the catholic church.

 

[SIA]

SIA you are still baptised whether you like it or not.choosing to leave and falling away are the same thing. in order to leave the catholic faith one needs to not beleive that the catholic church is not the true church.that the catholic church is the true church is something you should have been at least taught when you were in the church.hence you fell away from what you were taught.or at least one of the doctrines of the church which you express disbeilf in. i am not asking which one(s) or looking for debate.

Well, you are going to get debate on this. i was baptized yes but am not Roman Catholic. That is my choice not the authoritarian right of the RCC. If someone was baptized Methodist and they ended up being Baptist, does that mean that one way or another they are still Methodist? I don’t think so. I know that the RCC believes that it supercedes all including baptism, but i simply do not agree.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I must respond by saying that I am not fallen away. I chose to leave and be received into another denomination by my own choosing. Regardless of what you or anyone else says, I am not Roman Catholic. I was baptized and received the Catholic sacrements, but I am Anglican, not Roman Catholic.

**Thanks for your reply, believe me I know I dont have a say on who God calls into his kingdom.

In the eyes of God you are still part of his body, you are still a baptized child into the kingdom of God. Your right, it does’nt make a bit a difference of what I say or the Pope says, God has placed an indeluable mark on your soul from your baptism, no one can remove that, in fact the spirits cannot even harm you, you are in the Graces of God, whether or not you accept this, you have no say if God calls you. Now you can chose to disobey and reject his calling, like the father of lies, that is your choice.

One thing, The Angllican church is Catholic, They come from the Roman Catholic Church, They are just seperated brethern, they’re Holy orders are not valid, and their Eucharist is not valid, now that is not my decision, it is the Anglilcans doing by removing themselves from the Pope the Roman Catholic Church. The Anglican Church has also lost her Apostolic succession from the early Church.

My question?, why did you leave the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church?]**

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I was a teen-age convert and went through RCIA and all that and stayed in the Church for around 20 years.

Around 2000, I got disturbed by a part of the Church that was trying to imply that I owed the Church my ballot–that is that my vote should be determined by the concerns of the Church vs. my concerns and what I considered important. So I stopped attending regularly.

**I would object to the vote example as you described also. But I would not leave the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church for an opinion of Priest, Or if the Majority of my Community was trying to infulence my vote, To summarize my many thoughts on this issue, There are many reasons why I can get offended by my priests or community, I measure it up to Church teachings. and the offense is not from the Church but from the members. I recall that the Church is the body of Christ, not so and so Church. As a member of the Body of Christ, I pray to follow only him, and not get swayed by others intentions.

I think it is wonderful to find your roots, I wish you and your husband well on your journey. I pray that God will reveal his Covenant of your fathers to you, I pray that from there you will be revealed of his New and everlasting Covenant through his Son Jesus Christ. I pray that you see Jesus in the old covenant and be blessed on how our Lord, fulfills the law and the prophets. I pray that God will lead you back home from your journey and bring you back to his new and everlasting covenant with his son Jesus Christ. I pray God will be done in you and your husbands life journey. I pray you hear his whispering calling you to witness one day of your journey. I pray for a great revelation from God to you from this Journey.

Please dont judge The Catholic Church for any offenses you may have suffered by her members. We are all sinners, and fall short of the Glory of God, and thank God for his sacrament of reconiliation.

Please read up on Roslyn Moss, a convert from Judaism into the Catholic faith. She has found a wonderful testimony from her Jewish roots and fulfilled in the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church, the body of Christ. Dont miss this, I think you will enjoy it. She makes the bible, and the old covenant come alive in the New, through her book, of the Gospel of luke. Sounds like you and her have much in common.

God bless you and your familly **

 

[Auriel]

Interesting topic. Is there more than one baptism in the Catholic faith? How about people who did not know they were considered catholics? One can not fall away from what they never knew.

I pray and worship God but do not see the need to attend a church. But actually I was baptized as an infant in the Catholic Church but never raised in it, then baptized again in a Baptist Church as part of membership requirement as a child. The religion I had to follow depended upon where I was. My mother was catholic but died young. No parents now, my family was filled with all varieties of Christian religions, atheists (grandpa), and pagans.

So…in the eyes of a Catholic I am Catholic even if I did not now it?

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Interesting topic. Is there more than one baptism in the Catholic faith? How about people who did not know they were considered catholics? One can not fall away from what they never knew.

I pray and worship God but do not see the need to attend a church. But actually I was baptized as an infant in the Catholic Church but never raised in it, then baptized again in a Baptist Church as part of membership requirement as a child. The religion I had to follow depended upon where I was. My mother was catholic but died young. No parents now, my family was filled with all varieties of Christian religions, atheists (grandpa), and pagans.

So…in the eyes of a Catholic I am Catholic even if I did not now it?

Oh Auriel, God is calling you back home!!, If you were baptized Catholic, there is a way to find out. If you can remember the city and state, county, and or name of the Church Parish they will have a record of your baptism. If you find you may not have been it is still not to late, come on home the water is fine. If I could recommend something, go and speak with a local priest and he can give you instruction on the steps you need to take, and maybe some classe to complete your sacraments.

Let us know how it goes, or if you have more ?'s please dont hesitate to ask here, there are many informed Catholics here.
God Bless you, and may the peace of the Lord be with you always on your journey, and keep you. Amen

oh I forgot to answer your first question?, there is only one Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church. You cannot repeat this sacrament, Baptism is the eternal signet of Gjod on your soul, making you his chosen Child.
If you were baptized in the Roman Catholic Church you are a Catholic forever.

 

[SIA]

SIA;3323966:

I must respond by saying that I am not fallen away. I chose to leave and be received into another denomination by my own choosing. Regardless of what you or anyone else says, I am not Roman Catholic. I was baptized and received the Catholic sacrements, but I am Anglican, not Roman Catholic.

**Thanks for your reply, believe me I know I dont have a say on who God calls into his kingdom.

In the eyes of God you are still part of his body, you are still a baptized child into the kingdom of God. Your right, it does’nt make a bit a difference of what I say or the Pope says, God has placed an indeluable mark on your soul from your baptism, no one can remove that, in fact the spirits cannot even harm you, you are in the Graces of God, whether or not you accept this, you have no say if God calls you. Now you can chose to disobey and reject his calling, like the father of lies, that is your choice.

One thing, The Angllican church is Catholic, They come from the Roman Catholic Church, They are just seperated brethern, they’re Holy orders are not valid, and their Eucharist is not valid, now that is not my decision, it is the Anglilcans doing by removing themselves from the Pope the Roman Catholic Church. The Anglican Church has also lost her Apostolic succession from the early Church.

My question?, why did you leave the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church?]**

The Anglican church is catholic, you are correct there, but your statement of our orders and Eucharist not being valid is strictly the opinion of the Roman church and many but not all of its faithful. We removed ourselves from the authority of the pope; so? And Anglicans are in the line of Apostolic Succession. A serious argument could be made about Roman Catholics not being in that line any longer but I won’t go there because it is neither necessary or charitable. Please remember too that when you are referring to Anglicans as “they”, you are referring to me just the same.