Husband converting-His mother furious

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My husband (age 55) is in the final stages of RCIA. He informed his mother last Christmas that he was converting from Episcopalian to Roman Catholic. Her response was she did not want to hear about it. Two months later, she brought it up in a phone conversation. She lives quite a distance from us. She was critical of the church in every respect. She told him that she did not like him because of his conversion. There have been several emails from her again criticizing the church and stating he has ruined their relationship by his conversion. My husband was a very active member of the Anglican Church, was a leader of the vestry, chalice bearer, lector, etc. His decision came after he gave it much thought. He met with his former Anglican Priest who encouraged him and our current Catholic Priest. Very soon he will be received into the church, but we are unsure how to approach his mother. She is Episcopalian, but not active in any church. How should he respond to her? She is 80 years old and a widow. We have been married 35 years, and our marriage is also being received by the church. (I have been Catholic all my life. I am very upset by her reaction to this)
 
Wow. My spiritual advisor used to repeat to me “persistance and patience” in prayer concerning troubled relationships.

You need a good spiritual advisor. Are there any retired priests or nuns that could do the job for you? Your mother-in-law may never accept his conversion. Prepare yourself to accept this. This may be the cross that Jesus asks you to carry for him.

Another idea is to fast and pray. Hard to do but very effective. And then leave it to God.

I will include you in my prayers tonight.

God bless you and your husband.

P.S. Tell your husband “welcome home” from one convert to another. 👍
 
This is so tough. We’ve been there. My husband’s mother was less than thrilled when she found out her boy was marrying a Catholic girl. I wasn’t really practicing then. My husband had left there church years ago and went Non-Denom. When I decided to go back to the church he agreed to come with me. While he hasn’t converted he goes to church with us and I belive he will eventually join RCIA. When we had our marriage in the church she threw a fit. He had called her and asked for his baptismal certificate. She got a hold of it and sent it to us along with a nasty letter. I don’t think the letter was meant for my eyes, but when the envelope came I called my husband at work and he told me to open it and take it over to the church. It was horrible. My husbnad told her that if she wanted access to our lives and our child (now children) she would have to respect his decision. I won’t say that it has been easy since then. She still is on a mission to convert me and have her baby back in her church. I wish I had an easy answer for you. This approach worked with us becuase she didn’t want to lose her son.
 
Carole–I have a good friend who is Episcopalian who makes little comments to me about Catholicism. And the mother of another friend (both Episcopalian) is upset that all three sons married Catholic women and my friend is sending her kids to a Catholic school. I am starting to think that many Episcopalians (perhaps those of a certain generation) have an issue with Catholics.

In any case, given that your mother-in-law is 80 years old, be easy on her and don’t expect much from her this late in life. If she is this unhappy, she is probably not going to change. You might try to minimize discussion about the issue or politely decline to discuss it. Be kind to her. It is sad that she has reached her age and can be so negative about her grown son’s choice about his faith. (I mean it is not like he is becoming a Hare Krishna!)
 
I would say to not to discuss it unless she does first, why rock the boat. She’s old, hearing about it will upset her.
 
I think great charity and prayer for her. I can’t imagine how hard it would be for me if my sons decided not to be Catholic. It would break my heart. I would hope that I would exercise better behavior, but I can’t say for sure.

My husband just converted. We did not tell anyone in his family. First I figured it was up to him and second I didn’t want any problems from them. It was hard because I was so overjoyed after 18 years of praying. They know I am Catholic and our son goes to Catholic school.
 
How odd, my granny, a non-denominational Protestant, didn’t like it when I converted to the Episcopal Church, as it was “just like the Catholics!!!” You have my sympathy.
 
Matthew 19:5 - ***For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? ***
I would venture to say, if she is like my mother, if it were not for this, she would find something else to pick on.

As a former Episcopalian, Welcome to your husband and welcome to the forum.

What part of IL?
 
Suburban area, Northern.

Update, 10 days with no communication. True, probably would and has picked on other things. However, hard to see him estranged from his mother at such a wonderful time in his life.
 
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Carole:
Suburban area, Northern.

Update, 10 days with no communication. True, probably would and has picked on other things. However, hard to see him estranged from his mother at such a wonderful time in his life.
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Hang in there. Be strong. You never know what will come of the seeds you both are planting.

For what its worth: I really admire you both.
 
😉 Hi,
Let’s face it. Mom’s on the “exit ramp” of life, but in obeying the Commandment of HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER, :bowdown:why don’t you send her a big bouquet of flowers along with the Scott Hahn book called Rome Sweet Home Our Journey to Catholicism???

As converts, they list all of the typical objections.

Blessings,
Joanie
 
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