Help me become Catholic

[Persecuted]

Hi there,

This may seem a little forward for my first post, but the anonymity of the Internet is a great confidence booster! So here goes, as the title says I need help to convert to Catholicism. I’ll provide a bit about my background.

Currently, I am a Protestant attending an Evangelical Church, I’m married and have one child. I was baptised as a Roman Catholic at the age of 16 but fell away and then became an Evangelical after a conversion experience. Just a quick note: I have spoken to my wife about my leanings and she was initially upset but after giving her a few good arguments against Protestantism and against Catholicism she seems open to the idea.

My best friend is a Catholic and we have had many debates, eventually we stopped debating but we’re still good friends. I set the question aside for some time but I always intended to come back and have a look at the Catholic Church. So recently I’ve been doing some reading and watching debates etc… and I have become quite disillusioned with Protestant theology, particularly sola fide and the concept of once saved always saved.

I am also ready to accept a great deal of Catholic theology, that salvation involves works, the eucharist, authority of the Church, doctrines on Mary. But for some reason I feel myself in limbo, not yet ready to jump ship and yet I feel like I already have. I don’t know quite what is holding me back. It may have something to do with the fact that I’ve seen a fair few debates featuring James White but for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly I am having trouble accepting. I do struggle with the idea of Papal infallibility and have some vague fear of what if I revert to Catholicism and then come across a knock-down argument that some council has taught error or contradicted another council or Pope etc…

I should also mention that I consider myself an evidence/argumentation kind of person. I like to follow the evidence where it leads and make informed decisions based on good evidence and arguments, which is how I became a Christian in the first place!

I will stop there, I did consider posting in the ask an Apologist section but I cannot think of any specific questions to ask at this point. So there it is, help me become a Catholic! Please.

 

[Adamski]

Your path sounds just like mine

1- I realized the catholic church has a sound answer for every line in the bible
2- the theology and moral teachings has never changed since Jesus instatuted them
3- confession freed me (John 20 21-23)
4- the Eucharist feeds me (John 6)
5- it was the hardest and the most fulfilling thing I have ever done to return to the church.

It has made so many positive changes in my life that my wife was very anti catholic
when I started 3 years ago and now she encourages me greatly in my
Catholic faith

 

[GaryTaylor]

Consolation-Desolation, pray. Its conflict of the mind, spiritual, not just logical thoughts. Call a priest and make an appointment, for sure.

 

[AndyP2010]

Welcome home it sounds like your afraid that if you make a commitment you will get the rug pulled out from under you so to speak, hmmm. Which sacraments had you received prior to leaving the Church. Had you been confirmed? Talk to a priest and he should be able to help you find out just what your issues are and discuss them.

 

[po18guy]

At this point in your search, I think it would be advisable to obtain a copy of Catholicism for Dummies. It is an excellent resource that teaches Catholic beliefs as well as the reasons behind those beliefs. You will be able to rely on it for years to come. I learn something about the faith each time I read my copy.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Good advice, the Catechism also. I always go back to them also. I guess its safe to say that from there, you may well begin to read into the depth of the Church, at least the path historically and spiritually becomes clearer, and its deep. In fact I believe its endless. When you begin to see the truth confirmed over and over again, you begin to realize the on-going struggle. Its a blessing to be in the Church. Not a small thing. you found your way through the maze.

 

[po18guy]

Good advice, the Catechism also. I always go back to them also. I guess its safe to say that from there, you may well begin to read into the depth of the Church, at least the path historically and spiritually becomes clearer, and its deep. In fact I believe its endless. When you begin to see the truth confirmed over and over again, you begin to realize the on-going struggle. Its a blessing to be in the Church. Not a small thing. you found your way through the maze.

With both Imprimatur and nihil obstat, Catholicism for Dummies, as far as it goes, may be used as a form of catechism. Its value is that it speaks in everyday language, even if that language has a Philly accent.

 

[Sahara_DeSert]

What I found very helpful and convincing to return to the Catholic way was a book by Scott and Kimberly Hahn "Rome Sweet Home’. It almost reads like an adventure story. Also watching EWTN’s the Journey Home on youtube. Every road back to the Church is different and fascinating. I send you my encouragement!

 

[johnnyc176]

With both Imprimatur and nihil obstat, Catholicism for Dummies, as far as it goes, may be used as a form of catechism. Its value is that it speaks in everyday language, even if that language has a Philly accent.

That book is great. I have a paper copy and a kindle version.

Another book I would recommend is Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David Currie…

amazon.com/Born-Fundamentalist-Again-Catholic/dp/089870569X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370948660&sr=1-1&keywords=Born+Fundamentalist%2C+Born+Again+Catholic

You are in my prayers. God Bless!

 

[mountee]

God is calling you, there is no doubt about it. Reasoning your decision may cause you to stumble and this is the time when you move forward in faith. You may never have a complete understanding or agreement with the Church but you already know that it is where you want to be. Humble yourself before The Lord and follow where He is leading you. We will all pray for you as you step forward and welcome home.

 

[Darryl_B]

Evangelical for me was a great stepping stone to the Catholic Church. I am presently in limbo going to the 9am Catholic Mass and then taking my family to the 11am Evangelical Service (my wife is not ready yet). God has led me slowly to the Catholic Church little by little, bit by bit, when I’m ready for something, it comes along. Now I am at the point where I am saying “My omniscient God why did it take you 20 years to draw me home, am I really that stubborn”.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Hi there,

This may seem a little forward for my first post, but the anonymity of the Internet is a great confidence booster! So here goes, as the title says I need help to convert to Catholicism. I’ll provide a bit about my background.

Currently, I am a Protestant attending an Evangelical Church, I’m married and have one child. I was baptised as a Roman Catholic at the age of 16 but fell away and then became an Evangelical after a conversion experience. Just a quick note: I have spoken to my wife about my leanings and she was initially upset but after giving her a few good arguments against Protestantism and against Catholicism she seems open to the idea.

My best friend is a Catholic and we have had many debates, eventually we stopped debating but we’re still good friends. I set the question aside for some time but I always intended to come back and have a look at the Catholic Church. So recently I’ve been doing some reading and watching debates etc… and I have become quite disillusioned with Protestant theology, particularly sola fide and the concept of once saved always saved.

I am also ready to accept a great deal of Catholic theology, that salvation involves works, the eucharist, authority of the Church, doctrines on Mary. But for some reason I feel myself in limbo, not yet ready to jump ship and yet I feel like I already have. I don’t know quite what is holding me back. It may have something to do with the fact that I’ve seen a fair few debates featuring James White but for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly I am having trouble accepting. I do struggle with the idea of Papal infallibility and have some vague fear of what if I revert to Catholicism and then come across a knock-down argument that some council has taught error or contradicted another council or Pope etc…

I should also mention that I consider myself an evidence/argumentation kind of person. I like to follow the evidence where it leads and make informed decisions based on good evidence and arguments, which is how I became a Christian in the first place!

I will stop there, I did consider posting in the ask an Apologist section but I cannot think of any specific questions to ask at this point. So there it is, help me become a Catholic! Please.

Sometimes, the path we follow leads to a leap of faith. In that leap, our trust is placed in Jesus. Faith and reason work together. If reason has brought you as far as it can, make the leap. Fear of failure isn’t a good reason to not.

 

[Steveabrous]

have some vague fear of what if I revert to Catholicism and then come across a knock-down argument that some council has taught error or contradicted another council or Pope etc…

There have been councils that have contradicted each other. Not every council, nor everything the Pope says, is infallable. only an eucumencal council in union with the pope is considered without error, and only when the Pope speaks on matters of faith and morals and then only under certain conditions is he considered infallable. Otherwise the church is ran by fallable humans and yes you will find evidence of that in the minor councils and statements and actions of previous Popes

 

[Julian0404]

For your “follow the evidence” side, I would suggest you read the paper back book CASE FOR CHRIST, by Lee Strobel.

For you “I don’t know what is holding me back” side, I suggest you obtain the conversion tape of Scott Hahn (www.salvationhistory.com) as he also reached that point, and what moved him was the realization that knowing the truth, but not acting on the truth was being obstinate and opposing GOD, who “is truth”.

For your “I don’t know what will happen in the future”, read about and pray the Rosary every day as none of us knows what will happen in the future, but we all know our Mother, the Mother of JESUS will assist us “if” we ask through Her for Her SON’s help.

And finally, memorize Psalm 27 to give you courage.

 

[Elizabeth_John]

I had random doubts and confusion even while I was fully convinced that the Catholic Church was my ultimate destination. I found speaking to a priest to be extremely helpful. He had very good insights and basically affirmed that doubt is a crucial part of the process.

I have now been Catholic for about 6 weeks and let me tell you, it has been the ride of a lifetime so far. I am SO grateful to finally be in the church.

When I was discerning, I heard somewhere that the walls around the church are high, but once you are inside, it is a wonderland. That has certainly been my experience.

God is calling you… but there is no need to force anything or rush. Just take it step by step. Start going to daily mass. Start speaking to a priest. Perhaps begin the RCIA process. The whole thing will unfold and you will have plenty of time along the way to figure out what your doubts are and deal with them.

God Bless you!

 

[bzkoss236]

I am also ready to accept a great deal of Catholic theology, that salvation involves works, the eucharist, authority of the Church, doctrines on Mary. But for some reason I feel myself in limbo, not yet ready to jump ship and yet I feel like I already have. I don’t know quite what is holding me back. It may have something to do with the fact that I’ve seen a fair few debates featuring James White but for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly I am having trouble accepting. I do struggle with the idea of Papal infallibility and have some vague fear of what if I revert to Catholicism and then come across a knock-down argument that some council has taught error or contradicted another council or Pope etc…

Regarding the bolded:

First, Papal infallibility is not like some superpower that a person has. It isn’t even about a person, but the office. The Pope isn’t special. He’s just a person trying to live a godly life and fulfill God’s will here on earth. To aid in that, God gives that charism of infallibility to the office of the Pope, so whomever resides in that office will have this charism. It is actually quite difficult for something to be declared infallible. There are regulations as to when what the Pope declares is said to be infallible. And the Pope has only twice in the history of the Church (that I know of) acted upon the gift of infallibility alone as Pope (meaning without a council). The more you look into it, the more it will make sense.

Second, if a contradiction or error hasn’t come up yet, it is more than likely that there is none.

I have yet to hear an argument against the Church that doesn’t involve a misunderstanding of Church teaching, ignorance of how the Church works, or arrogance in the teachings of the oppositions church that they won’t listen to reason.

 

[Adamski]

Evangelical for me was a great stepping stone to the Catholic Church. I am presently in limbo going to the 9am Catholic Mass and then taking my family to the 11am Evangelical Service (my wife is not ready yet). God has led me slowly to the Catholic Church little by little, bit by bit, when I’m ready for something, it comes along. Now I am at the point where I am saying “My omniscient God why did it take you 20 years to draw me home, am I really that stubborn”.

My family also goes to 2 services every sunday

 

[edwest2]

This site should help:

catholicscomehome.org/im-not-catholic/

Peace,
Ed

 

[Nimzovik]

Hi there,

This may seem a little forward for my first post, but the anonymity of the Internet is a great confidence booster! So here goes, as the title says I need help to convert to Catholicism. I’ll provide a bit about my background.

Currently, I am a Protestant attending an Evangelical Church, I’m married and have one child. I was baptised as a Roman Catholic at the age of 16 but fell away and then became an Evangelical after a conversion experience. Just a quick note: I have spoken to my wife about my leanings and she was initially upset but after giving her a few good arguments against Protestantism and against Catholicism she seems open to the idea.

My best friend is a Catholic and we have had many debates, eventually we stopped debating but we’re still good friends. I set the question aside for some time but I always intended to come back and have a look at the Catholic Church. So recently I’ve been doing some reading and watching debates etc… and I have become quite disillusioned with Protestant theology, particularly sola fide and the concept of once saved always saved.

I am also ready to accept a great deal of Catholic theology, that salvation involves works, the eucharist, authority of the Church, doctrines on Mary. But for some reason I feel myself in limbo, not yet ready to jump ship and yet I feel like I already have. I don’t know quite what is holding me back. It may have something to do with the fact that I’ve seen a fair few debates featuring James White but for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on what exactly I am having trouble accepting. I do struggle with the idea of Papal infallibility and have some vague fear of what if I revert to Catholicism and then come across a knock-down argument that some council has taught error or contradicted another council or Pope etc…

I should also mention that I consider myself an evidence/argumentation kind of person. I like to follow the evidence where it leads and make informed decisions based on good evidence and arguments, which is how I became a Christian in the first place!

I will stop there, I did consider posting in the ask an Apologist section but I cannot think of any specific questions to ask at this point. So there it is, help me become a Catholic! Please.

Oh brother! You picked a fine time to think of becoming a Catholic! Just when they are about to start throwing us to the lions again!!

 

[steve_b]

Currently, I am a Protestant attending an Evangelical Church, I’m married and have one child. I was baptised as a Roman Catholic at the age of 16 but fell away and then became an Evangelical after a conversion experience. Just a quick note: I have spoken to my wife about my leanings and she was initially upset but after giving her a few good arguments against Protestantism and against Catholicism she seems open to the idea.
My best friend is a Catholic and we have had many debates, eventually we stopped debating but we’re still good friends. I set the question aside for some time but I always intended to come back and have a look at the Catholic Church. So recently I’ve been doing some reading and watching debates etc… and I have become quite disillusioned with Protestant theology, particularly sola fide and the concept of once saved always saved.

was your conversion experience based on Protestant theology that you are now disillusioned with?

You use the name persecuted. Are you being persecuted by someone?
P:

for some reason I feel myself in limbo, not yet ready to jump ship and yet I feel like I already have. I don’t know quite what is holding me back. It may have something to do with the fact that I’ve seen a fair few debates featuring James White …

Here’s how the James White issue can go away.

1. 
   *]He violates Our Lord’s Divine Will concerning unity, which is a grave sin against charity John 17:20-23 violating Our Lord’s Will has huge consequences for the one(s) who violate this.
   *]Division from the Church therefore, is condemned in scripture. Paul warns warns Romans 16:17-20 , Galatians 5:19-21 and there is no expirration date to those warnings. That’s because there is no expiration date on disobedience to Jesus. Are you listening Mr White?
   *]James White is a Baptist. His religion was founded 400 years ago by John Smyth. Jesus established His Church 1600 years before that. Jesus gave all His promises to His Church that He suffered and died for. That means Mr White is outside Our Lord’s Church which is condemned as are those who divide. Ref: Gal 5:21 above.
   *]Mr White might retorte he loves Jesus and asked Him into his heart. Well Jesus says those who do what He commands are the one’s who love Him. John 14:15 , John 14:23 White is in big trouble here because he not only is outside the Church he fights incessently against Our Lord’s Church
   *]The HS inspired Paul to give those warnings, which means He received those warnings that He passed onto Paul, from Jesus John 16:12-15 Therefore Jesus is warning all who will listen, yes Mr White that’s you too, don’t divide from my Church the Catholic Church or “they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God”. iow they go to hell. [Gal 5:21] It’s a valid condemnation in the 1st century, as it is in the 16th century as it is in the 21st century, as it is forever. iow, outside Our Lord’s Church, the Catholic Church, there is no salvation.
   *]The Church Our Lord Established on Peter and the apostles is the Catholic Chuch. It’s been that way from the 1st century.
   P:
   

   I do struggle with the idea of Papal infallibility and have some vague fear of what if I revert to Catholicism and then come across a knock-down argument that some council has taught error or contradicted another council or Pope etc…

   Be afraid of NOT returning to the Catholic Church. There are no arguments non Catholics can give. No matter the stripe, they are all outside the Church our Lord established.
   P:
   

   I should also mention that I consider myself an evidence/argumentation kind of person.

   Good. You’ll get it here. Ask away on your questions