O
O.S.Luke
Guest
Rarndt01:
I grew up in an area where there were virtually no Catholics. It wasn’t until I was already in seminary that ONE Catholic church was finally built in my home town, and had I not been asked to be a musician for them previously when they were a mission church, I wouldn’t have even known they existed.
If the Catholic Church is the one true church… where we’re y’all when I grew up? And why, in the three years that I was there, did NO ONE ever ask me about becoming Catholic? Not even the priest that I worked with in planning the music for mass, nor the campus minister assigned there? When I wrestled with religious vocation, my own United Methodist Church not only encouraged me - they supported me financially and spiritually, sending me to one of the most respected seminaries in the U.S. (respected by Catholic and Protestants alike, with professors from both traditions).
Even AFTER that, when I considered “crossing the Tiber” because of my beliefs (and BECAUSE of my good seminary training, study of the Church Fathers and Ecumenical Councils, and thesis on liturgical and sacramental theology), I was told by the two dioceses I approached that they (a) didn’t want the possible “bad press” of my conversion, and (b) didn’t want to have to “jump through all the hoops” for me to convert and petition the See to be ordained. My wife was Catholic, but it all left a bad taste in her mouth, too.
So I’ve made my peace with God, and after much spiriutal discernment, decided that this is where I am supposed to be. And yet, despite my many corrections to others when they make obviously bigoted and misinformed statements about Catholicism, I have already been called a “happy clappy Protestant” by a Catholic on this board.
I’m not an “Evangelical,” but I can assure you that Evangelicalism doesn’t have a monopoly on betrayal of trust, mistruths about the faith, and bigotry. I can forgive that, but where’s the “one true Church?” It’s actions make me think more than twice about it’s commitment to make disciples. The impression is that you’re either born into it or you’re not really welcome.
My tradition may be “separated brethren”, but it’s reached out to me. The One True Church has never made that invitation, despite my being present in it and requesting admission into it.
Separated brethern I may be, but I’m welcome here. And more importantly - I’ve found that Christ is present here, too. I’ve found validation in my ordination, and it’s been confirmed in my teaching, pastoral presence, and priestly function. No doubt some will say my ordination is worthless. To that, I simply say, “bunk.” It took me years to get past saying much more profane and inflammatory words.
I continue to defend Catholicism against bigotry and mistruth. Some days, I wonder why.
Pax vobiscum,
O+
I grew up in an area where there were virtually no Catholics. It wasn’t until I was already in seminary that ONE Catholic church was finally built in my home town, and had I not been asked to be a musician for them previously when they were a mission church, I wouldn’t have even known they existed.
If the Catholic Church is the one true church… where we’re y’all when I grew up? And why, in the three years that I was there, did NO ONE ever ask me about becoming Catholic? Not even the priest that I worked with in planning the music for mass, nor the campus minister assigned there? When I wrestled with religious vocation, my own United Methodist Church not only encouraged me - they supported me financially and spiritually, sending me to one of the most respected seminaries in the U.S. (respected by Catholic and Protestants alike, with professors from both traditions).
Even AFTER that, when I considered “crossing the Tiber” because of my beliefs (and BECAUSE of my good seminary training, study of the Church Fathers and Ecumenical Councils, and thesis on liturgical and sacramental theology), I was told by the two dioceses I approached that they (a) didn’t want the possible “bad press” of my conversion, and (b) didn’t want to have to “jump through all the hoops” for me to convert and petition the See to be ordained. My wife was Catholic, but it all left a bad taste in her mouth, too.
So I’ve made my peace with God, and after much spiriutal discernment, decided that this is where I am supposed to be. And yet, despite my many corrections to others when they make obviously bigoted and misinformed statements about Catholicism, I have already been called a “happy clappy Protestant” by a Catholic on this board.
I’m not an “Evangelical,” but I can assure you that Evangelicalism doesn’t have a monopoly on betrayal of trust, mistruths about the faith, and bigotry. I can forgive that, but where’s the “one true Church?” It’s actions make me think more than twice about it’s commitment to make disciples. The impression is that you’re either born into it or you’re not really welcome.
My tradition may be “separated brethren”, but it’s reached out to me. The One True Church has never made that invitation, despite my being present in it and requesting admission into it.
Separated brethern I may be, but I’m welcome here. And more importantly - I’ve found that Christ is present here, too. I’ve found validation in my ordination, and it’s been confirmed in my teaching, pastoral presence, and priestly function. No doubt some will say my ordination is worthless. To that, I simply say, “bunk.” It took me years to get past saying much more profane and inflammatory words.
I continue to defend Catholicism against bigotry and mistruth. Some days, I wonder why.
Pax vobiscum,
O+
God Bless