I feel sick...potential convert

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freerf

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I guess I’m what you would call a potential Catholic. I’ve been recently attending Mass with my wife and children but am being increasingly persuaded that the Catholic Church is deeply flawed.
Juxtapose the recent media coverage of pediphile priests with the Church’s recent decision to kick-out children of gay parents from Catholic schools and what do you get? A Church that appears morally confused. (at best). I want to believe the Catholic Church is God’s Church, is the universal Church. I really do. But why should I? Then I hear a poll on Catholic Radio that shows Catholics among the worst at knowing the reason for the season of Easter. Ouch. Protestants were among the best. Big surprise.

How can I convert to Catholicism among these scandles? How could I possibly truhfully say that I believe all the Catholic Church teaches is from God? I can’t. I just can’t.
 
Brother in the Lord,

Do not let the sins of men or any thing else of this world keep you from receiving the truth. I think that the last 40-50 years of cultural disorder and the unfortunate mistranslations in the wake of Vat II and their subsequent liberality are now showing themselves. But, consider all the heresy and rotten individuals the Church has withstood through all the ages, sometimes for centurys, and remember that Jesus promised that even the gates of hell would not prevail over her. I believe this is true.

The Catholic Church contains the fullness of the Christian faith and all means of grace. It is the divine institution of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, despite its sometimes dastardly sinners. May the victims of abuse and their families receive comfort, justice, and mercy. And may the Holy Spirit grant us all an extra measure of grace to endure.
 
If you feel that you cannot accept the teachings of the Catholic church, then maybe you shouldn’t be Catholic.

You will have to figure out for yourself what you want. No one else can do that for you.

God bless you on your journey.
 
In a single sentence I will say, don’t let Judas keep you from Jesus.
 
The things you mention are all external, influences. Priests come and go, and every church goes through a period of difficulty. I went to a protestant church that convered up scandal. It happens all the time. Keep in mind that most of america identifies as protestant christian, but do you see MOST of america actually worshipping Jesus or following his commands? You can’t base the integrity of the whole on the fringe.

Get some books on church history and study about the church itself, not the individuals in it. I was just like you until I read up on the history of the church. They say to study church history is to cease to be protestant. 😉
 
What the church teaches and what particular MEMBERS of the church do are not the same thing. Keep that in mind
 
freerf said:
I guess I’m what you would call a potential Catholic. I’ve been recently attending Mass with my wife and children but am being increasingly persuaded that the Catholic Church is deeply flawed.
Juxtapose the recent media coverage of pediphile priests with the Church’s recent decision to kick-out children of gay parents from Catholic schools and what do you get? A Church that appears morally confused. (at best). I want to believe the Catholic Church is God’s Church, is the universal Church. I really do. But why should I? Then I hear a poll on Catholic Radio that shows Catholics among the worst at knowing the reason for the season of Easter. Ouch. Protestants were among the best. Big surprise.

How can I convert to Catholicism among these scandles? How could I possibly truhfully say that I believe all the Catholic Church teaches is from God? I can’t. I just can’t.
Click to expand...
The media is often does not get things right…and remember Jesus said as they treated him so they will do with his disciples…

And Jesus said they called him Belelzbub …what will the call his followers…

Go read the Homilies and Audiences of Pope Benedict XVI…read the Catechism and the Compendium…

etc…

There are Many Many Catholics in the world…with so large a number you will find some who are grave sinners…some who do horrible things…some who do not know their faith…

but these are some.

if you lived during a period in the Old Testament when there were scandals because of some Priests etc…would you say…man this is not the people of God …and go somewhere else?

If one judges by some mens sins…one will have no where to go…

(but then again look too at the holiness of the Church! the saints! the self giving etc…)

1/12 th of the Apostles turned out not well…

many disciples of Jesus walked away from him when he spoke of the Eucharist…eating his flesh…

do not let the sins of some keep you from full communion with the his Church…
 
A few readings from Pope Benedict VI…enjoy

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/urbi/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20090412_urbi-easter_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/urbi/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20081225_urbi_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/urbi/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20080323_urbi-easter_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/urbi/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20070408_urbi-easter_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20060906_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20060927_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061025_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20061122_en.html (there is more on him)

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20070110_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20060809_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/youth/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20070127_youth_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20090412_pasqua_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20080322_veglia-pasquale_en.html

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20070407_veglia-pasquale_en.html
 
We proclaim Jesus Christ…he came for sinners…

some in the Church still need some major conversion and healing…

But the head of the Church is Jesus Christ and he will continue to wash his Church in his blood…and at the end off the age…she will be presented spotless but until then…her members are in various places…some in danger of hell and separation…some struggling will sins…some very holy by grace of God…
 
There are over 10,000 canonized saints in the Catholic Church.

I prefer to look at them, if I have to look at others beside Jesus and His Mother at all.
 
What is the Kingdom of Heaven like…

Jesus said…(Matthew 13: 24f and 47f RSV)

Another parable he put before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field;

but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.
And the servants of the householder came and said to him, `Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?’

He said to them, An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and gather them?’

But he said, `No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’"
 
continued…

Jesus also said

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad.

So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.
there will be weeds among the wheat…and all sorts of things in the net…

until then end…
 
JaredR said:
There are over 10,000 canonized saints in the Catholic Church.

I prefer to look at them, if I have to look at others beside Jesus and His Mother at all.
Click to expand...
That’s how I look at it. No matter what happens on Earth, I always try to remember the Communion of Saints. The Saint’s in Heaven never cause scandal.
 
freerf said:
I guess I’m what you would call a potential Catholic. I’ve been recently attending Mass with my wife and children but am being increasingly persuaded that the Catholic Church is deeply flawed.
Juxtapose the recent media coverage of pediphile priests with the Church’s recent decision to kick-out children of gay parents from Catholic schools and what do you get? A Church that appears morally confused. (at best). I want to believe the Catholic Church is God’s Church, is the universal Church. I really do. But why should I? Then I hear a poll on Catholic Radio that shows Catholics among the worst at knowing the reason for the season of Easter. Ouch. Protestants were among the best. Big surprise.

How can I convert to Catholicism among these scandles? How could I possibly truhfully say that I believe all the Catholic Church teaches is from God? I can’t. I just can’t.
Click to expand...
What is the reason for the season of Easter? Do you mean lent? I really don’t know what lent is for…is it the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert? Obviously Easter celebrates the resurrection.
 
Hey Freerf…

There’s a rather wide chasm between correct doctrine and the sins of individuals.

The latter doesn’t invalidate the former and more than Judas’ betrayal or Peter’s denial invalidated the whole teachings of Christ.

I’d reconsider in that light if I was you.
 
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Particularily Bookcat, for all your effort. It did not go without fruit. All your answers were just what I needed: a reminder of God’s heart and Grace and the enemies efforts to destroy.
JaredR, a good reminder to keep my thoughts on righteousness!
Shondrea, too true. too true.
Whitacre, funny quote, “to study church history is to…” I’ve found this true about myself. … like I said, potential convert.
GeorgeSword, thank you. Brought tears to my eyes.
Lux, Amen Brother!
Wolfgang, everybody needs a helping hand once in a while.

I do love the Catholic Church, but you can imagine the spiritual battle for a 10 year non-denominational christian convert.:o

Thank you!
 
Church_Militant said:
Hey Freerf…

There’s a rather wide chasm between correct doctrine and the sins of individuals.

The latter doesn’t invalidate the former and more than Judas’ betrayal or Peter’s denial invalidated the whole teachings of Christ.

I’d reconsider in that light if I was you.
Click to expand...
Well said. Thanks!
 
I’m glad to hear that!!

And hey, if you ever need a goofball quote, just come see me 😉 my hubby and I excel at them…we should go into business…😉
 
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