How to tell Dad I'm converrting

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graciesings

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So here I am again. For those of you who don’t know my story, I was raised Lutheran but never confirmed. God called me to the Catholic church about 5 months ago and I don’t really know why. I agree with most of Catholic doctrine. Well, except I don’t really understand Papal infallibility. Indulgences are confusing. And so are… all the other things that separate Catholics from Lutherans.

Well, my Dad wants to explain to him tonight why I don’t want to be confirmed in the Lutheran church. What do I tell him? It’s not like I can prove doctrine I don’t understand. He doesn’t seem to believe in being spoken to and specially-led by God. When other people talk about that he kind of rolls his eyes… I’m afraid I haven’t talked much about God leading me to do certain things, because I didn’t want him to think I was crazy.

So what do I say? Do any of you have advice about how to handle this?

Please pray for me.

God bless you,
Grace
 
Just because he doesn’t believe God is leading you, doesn’t mean God isn’t. If you honestly feel led to the Catholic Church by God, tell him that and don’t be ashamed. The bottom line in regards to the whole Catholic vs Lutheran thing is that the Catholic Church was founded by Christ in 33 AD and has remained Christ’s church for 2000 years. Its as simple as that, and that’s all you need to tell him: We have the Eucharist, we have the Saints, we have the Keys, and I think you know in your heart that we are God’s church.

I’ll be praying for you and remember you have the support of everyone here.
 
Will definitely pray for you!

I would think you could assertively say that you need to spend more time in prayer regarding your journey with God because you are dealing with an internal spiritual struggle. I would think that leave little to argue with, and I would think I would see that as very mature.

Catholic.com has a lot of tracts on various issues:

Indulgences
Papal Infallibility

You can browse through their tracts by topic HERE.
 
As a Convert myself apart from the Catholic Bible, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, there is a great book ( no pun intended ) which I have and consult all the time its
called " Catholicism for Dummies" can be got on Amazon or at any Catholic Bookshop.

It would help you enormously, if after that you could get from your Local Library a Book on the Church Fathers as there was many, my favourite is St. Ignatius, a good read also for a potential Convert.

God Bless and prayers go with you as you talk to your Dad.
 
With however you end up doing it, I think we both know it’s going to be a difficult & uncomfortable conversation. I’m not sure how that can be avoided. The best advice I can give is:

A) When it’s time, get it over with. You’ll feel great after it’s over; even if it ends horribly you’ll still at least have the burden of silence lifted.

B) Whatever you do, be kind and charitable. He’s your dad and you need to respect him.

I’ll pray for your clarity tonight.
 
Luther did have a lot to be upset about, but changing doctrine was not the way to solve the problem.

(Your Dad may be thinking about that issue.)

Renewal starts from within…look at all the denominations we have now!

May our Lord Jesus Christ guide you on your journey to the fullness of His truth.
 
And remind him that lutherans are more similar to catholics than many denominations.
 
You may not have all the answers, just give him what you got - that you feel God is calling you to the Catholic Church, that you feel you belong there, you can agree with most of the teachings. In any case just share and inform, don’t get into an argument. There is no need to defend what you are feeling, it is just your feelings!
 
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