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Truth_Faith13
Guest
Just wondering if there was any situation in which someone wouldn’t be allowed to join the Catholic Church?
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GEddie
Guest
But if they are not yet baptized, wouldn’t baptism absolve the sins?
And if baptized, isn’t confession part of entering the Church?
ICXC NIKA
And if baptized, isn’t confession part of entering the Church?
ICXC NIKA
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Bookcat
Guest
Sure…
Such has been the case since the early centuries…
For example Idol makers could not become Christians (enter the Church) unless they gave up that trade…or prostitutes…or other like things.
But all could repent, believe and be baptized…
One would have to *actually repent *( which includes give up making idols…) …
Such has been the case since the early centuries…
For example Idol makers could not become Christians (enter the Church) unless they gave up that trade…or prostitutes…or other like things.
But all could repent, believe and be baptized…
One would have to *actually repent *( which includes give up making idols…) …
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Bookcat
Guest
Yes -IF AND ONLY IF they repented…which means giving up that which is gravely sinful - like my making idol example from the early days…
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Della
Guest
Such as…?
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GEddie
Guest
That makes it clearer.
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Della
Guest
But the OP hasn’t clarified what they mean by “impediment”. They may have some other problem, actual or otherwise, in mind. That’s why I asked.
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Truth_Faith13
Guest
Sorry I probably shouldn’t have used the word impediment. My definition of the word is obstacle, hindrance etc as in “an impediment to marriage”. I don’t think there is anything I have done (or do) which would prevent me from being able to join the church. I don’t have anything specific in mind but when I was asking about a hysterectomy the other day, one poster mentioned that it wouldn’t be an impediment to me joining the church which made me wonder if there ever was a situation when the Catholic Church turned someone away?
It sounds like the only scenarios would be if someone was committing a mortal sin but was unrepentent and not wishing to change?
What about situations people can’t change? For example if a man had a vasectemy prior to wanting to be Catholic for contraceptive reasons or a woman had an abortion?
It sounds like the only scenarios would be if someone was committing a mortal sin but was unrepentent and not wishing to change?
What about situations people can’t change? For example if a man had a vasectemy prior to wanting to be Catholic for contraceptive reasons or a woman had an abortion?
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Della
Guest
Thanks for clarifying.
When someone has a past sin in his life, it’s not an impediment to becoming Catholic. What has been done, has been done. An abortion can’t be reversed, for example. A man who has had a vasectomy isn’t obliged to have it reversed. As for getting a hysterectomy, it would depend on why the person is having it–for medical reasons or merely to prevent pregnancy when they could still have children (all other medical considerations aside).The Church is a haven for sinners not a shrine for saints. We humans sin in many ways, some greater than others. This does not hinder anyone from becoming Catholic. If anyone has any questions about their own circumstances they should talk to a priest, who will be quite happy to allay fears and tell them how to correct anything that may need to be corrected, such as remarriage and that sort of thing.
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