G
grandfather;9043174:
Making a religious commitment is very serious business. There is only one reason to belong to any religion, it is that you agree with all the things it believes and teaches. As an adult when you make a profession of faith before a community and God, you bind yourself to the religion in a sense like getting married. You say I belong to this group. It is mine. I submit myself to its demands. I join myself to it and its God, and will strive to be a loyal follower.This is kind of where I am. I’ve looked at Catholicism, originally, with the purpose of disproving it as. Truth. The more I’ve learned, historically and doctrinaly, the more I believe. I started with attacking it, and now that I’ve learned more - it just plain makes sense. My kids have flocked to it unlike I’ve seen with non-denominational congregations we’ve attended, which has acted as a litmus test to the fact that the Roman Catholic Church is the Way as described in documents of old.
I have a friend whose brother is an excellent priest. My friend’s new wife was Protestant. She decided she wanted to be Catholic and sought her brother inlaw’s help. He questioned her about her beliefs and she told him that she agreed with all Catholic doctrine on faith and morals, but had some doubts on some of the Marian doctrines. He told her he would not take her through the process of entering the Church. She did not have a Catholic faith. It would be a mistake. She was disappointed at the time with the response. In her mind she accepted enough Catholic doctrine to make her decision. Some months of reflection went by until she got it. They now have six children and she appreciates what her brother inlaw did back then.
Layman, If you think you know the Catholic faith well enough to make a complete profession of faith, to say you believe all that the Catholic Church holds and teaches, and you do not want to go through the lengthy programs that are required in the Latin Rite, you might consider an Eastern Rite.
Another friend of mine was drawn to the Eastern traditions. She was baptized as an infant. Her mother died when she was a small girl and her father remarried and left the Church. She grew up with no religion, but knew she was a baptized Catholic. In her late 20s she studied the faith extensively and decided she wanted to practice it. She went to an Eastern Rite parish, spent time talking with the priest over several weeks. He told her he would receive her into the faith as an adult, Chrismate her, any time she was ready.
Doing this just to avoid RCIA might not be a good idea, even if you already know and accept Catholic doctrine. But the eastern traditions are very rich and beautiful and you might want to consider the option.
Layman F;9043352:
To tell a person who comes from a western culture, who presumably studied western books heavy on Latin theology, and who wants to convert to Roman Catholicism that he should look into Eastern Catholicism because your friend’s priest said he’d Chrismate her within weeks really misses the boat.Layman, If you think you know the Catholic faith well enough to make a complete profession of faith, to say you believe all that the Catholic Church holds and teaches, and you do not want to go through the lengthy programs that are required in the Latin Rite, you might consider an Eastern Rite.
God calls us all differently. He introduces some to the east and some he calls to stay there. This person gave no indication that he was called in that way, so even though you added the warning about not going for a fast conversion, that’s the only reason your message would make sense. The Eastern Catholic Churches would not make a disgruntled Roman Catholic happy.
Layman, if you believe the Roman Catholic church is where you belong, you should be willing to put up with whatever foibles or roadblocks the people within it create. Discern God’s will and He will provide.
That’s what I was wanting to hear. Thanks!Paul even talks about the catechumens…
One who is being instructed in the word should share all good things with his instructor. (Galatians 6:6)
The article at New Advent is very good on the subject. newadvent.org/cathen/03430b.htm.
-Tim-