Leaving the Church

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How does one officially leave the Roman Catholic Church? Thank you
 
t68ware said:
How does one officially leave the Roman Catholic Church? Thank you
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Hmm… If there is no formal process available, you could always do something to get yourself excommunicated. It would however be much simpler to just walk away. I’m unaware of any downside to that.
 
You can’t leave the Church but defecting would mean an individual is commiting apostasy. Which is a very bad thing indeed.
 
From baptism we have an indelible mark on us, that we belong to Christ. We may reject Him but He is always there to take us back. So you may leave and the door is always open for your return.

That said, I did not find an open door at any Roman Catholic Church. Which may be what your question is referring to. I believe there are 23 Eastern churches in communion with Rome. You may want to try one of them. I did 😃 so, I did officially leave.
 
Casilda said:
We may reject Him but He is always there to take us back. So you may leave and the door is always open for your return.

That said, I did not find an open door at any Roman Catholic Church. Which may be what your question is referring to. I believe there are 23 Eastern churches in communion with Rome. You may want to try one of them. I did 😃 so, I did officially leave.
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How can this be?
 
Casilda said:
From baptism we have an indelible mark on us, that we belong to Christ. We may reject Him but He is always there to take us back. So you may leave and the door is always open for your return.

That said, I did not find an open door at any Roman Catholic Church. Which may be what your question is referring to. I believe there are 23 Eastern churches in communion with Rome. You may want to try one of them. I did 😃 so, I did officially leave.
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I am seeking to rejoin the Wesleyan Church, which i belonged to in my past, but they need affirmation I am no longer considered a member of the RCC. That is why i asked.
 
t68ware said:
I am seeking to rejoin the Wesleyan Church, which i belonged to in my past, but they need affirmation I am no longer considered a member of the RCC. That is why i asked.
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Once you become Catholic, there is nothing you can do to make yourself “unCatholic”.

Seeing as you obviously went through RCIA if you were once Wesleyan, I would strongly suggest you get some pastoral counseling from your Catholic priest.
You made promises to the Church, they should not be taken lightly.

I will pray for you.
 
t68ware said:
I am seeking to rejoin the Wesleyan Church, which i belonged to in my past, but they need affirmation I am no longer considered a member of the RCC. That is why i asked.
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I’ve never heard of a resignation credential being issued by the Catholic Church.

Not in the United States anyhow.
 
IT,s a shame you want to leave,but love God ,for we are in terrible times,but you can call the office and tell your leaving the Parish. God Bless
 
neweggs said:
you can call the office and tell your leaving the Parish. God Bless
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Unless there is missing information in the OP, he isn’t moving or leaving the parish at all. He’s still going to be in the same place.
 
Pray tell, what’s the difference between not being a Catholic then deciding to become one, and being a Catholic and deciding that what the church believes is not, you come to realize, what you believe? Both actions, if the Catholics have adhered faithfully to the “truth” states of ignorance. Both have open invitations to salvation. You either are in a state of “grace” or you are not. What difference if you’ve became a Catholic then started disagreeing with their teachings or disagree with their teachings and haven’t become a Catholic because of this? What irremovable brand does Catholicism give to an individual that non Catholics don’t have if both are privy to the same good news?
 
setarcos said:
Pray tell, what’s the difference between not being a Catholic then deciding to become one, and being a Catholic and deciding that what the church believes is not, you come to realize, what you believe? Both actions, if the Catholics have adhered faithfully to the “truth” states of ignorance. Both have open invitations to salvation. You either are in a state of “grace” or you are not. What difference if you’ve became a Catholic then started disagreeing with their teachings or disagree with their teachings and haven’t become a Catholic because of this? What irremovable brand does Catholicism give to an individual that non Catholics don’t have if both are privy to the same good news?
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Because through the sacraments of baptism, first communion, and confirmation an indelible mark is left on your soul. Through the Catholic church the doors are opened to salvation. That doesn’t mean everyone will walk through.
 
I’m sorry your leaving, the Holy Body of Christ will always be here if you decide to come back again.
 
I wonder if they required such a statement of all their new members? What if a Mormon, a Baptist, a Nazarene, a Muslim or any other convert were to come to them. Would they also require a statement that says that individual is no longer a member of “x” religion?

Whether they do or not (and this is just a Catholic thing which I’m betting it is) I’d love to know where they are getting this “need of a statement” from? What teaching of St Peter, St Paul or any other including Jesus Himself, says that the person has to get a formal written statement from their former religion to be a Christian.

Please ask this and let me know, I beg of you, find out and let me know!!!
 
The bad news is there is no way to formally defect from the Catholic Church. The good news is that should you ever change your mind and want to live as a Catholic again all you will need to do to is go to confession.

At the least, you should contact your local parish and ask them to cancel your parish registration and take you off their mailing list, just to cut down on the junk mail.
 
To the OP: May I ask why you want to leave the Church? What happened or what teaching do you struggle with?

God Bless you and may The Lord grant you answers to the questions you seek.
 
t68ware said:
I am seeking to rejoin the Wesleyan Church, which i belonged to in my past, but they need affirmation I am no longer considered a member of the RCC. That is why i asked.
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I’m sure you aren’t the first Catholic to become a member of the Wesleyan Church. Ask them (the Wesleyan Church) what sort of proof they will accept. Perhaps a simple signed statement from you, that has been witnessed and/or notarized, that you no longer consider yourself a member of the RCC will suffice.
 
t68ware said:
I am seeking to rejoin the Wesleyan Church, which i belonged to in my past, but they need affirmation I am no longer considered a member of the RCC. That is why i asked.
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Parishes do not give any such affirmations in writing or any other way, so you won’t be able to get anything like that. I’m surprised the Wesleyan Church would ask for something like that. Perhaps there was some miscommunication on that point?

Parish registration means nothing. It’s just a list so the parish can contact members. You don’t need to unregister yourself in order to no longer be considered a Catholic–only for practical reasons.

You may want to discuss with your priest why you want to leave the Catholic Church. Be assured, he’s there to help you with any concerns you may have. 🙂
 
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