Mother is an ex-Catholic

[Marinakeer]

I’m faced with a bit of an issue, so I thought I’d bring it here. Here’s some backstory:

My mother was raised Catholic. When she was a teenager, her parents got divorced, and then her mother got remarried, which led to their family leaving the Catholic church. My mother then lived her life as a Protestant, eventually marrying my father (who was raised Protestant) and raising me and my siblings Protestant.

My mother is the light of my life. I love her more than I have ever loved another person. She is caring and kind, funny, and an extremely strong person. When I confessed to her a few years ago that I wanted to convert to Catholicism, she was hesitant (because of her negative experiences with the Church), but supportive, and encouraged me to start going to a Catholic Church with some of my Catholic friends.

Here’s the dilemma: I’ve heard many people say that it’s my duty to stop having such a deep bond with my mother because she’s an ex-Catholic. I’ve heard people claim that to have a good relationship with her is to receive a heretic and schismatic, and would therefore be a major sin.

I love my mother so, so much, and there’s nothing in this world that would hurt me more than having to end our close relationship. But is that what God wants me to do?

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

Here’s the dilemma: I’ve heard many people say that it’s my duty to stop having such a deep bond with my mother because she’s an ex-Catholic. I’ve heard people claim that to have a good relationship with her is to receive a heretic and schismatic, and would therefore be a major sin.

Who are these “many people”? Are they in any kind of role of spiritual authority over you? Or are they just extremist weirdos on the internet?

You do not have to disown your mother. That’s insane.

 

[Marinakeer]

Mainly Internet resources.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

Mainly Internet resources.

Are those “internet resources” actual teachings of the Catholic Church? Or are they just some guys rambling on his blog?

My point is you need to be really careful about what sources you take seriously. You can find people who believe all sorts of crazy things. Don’t fall for it.

 

[Irishmom2]

Here’s the dilemma: I’ve heard many people say that it’s my duty to stop having such a deep bond with my mother because she’s an ex-Catholic. I’ve heard people claim that to have a good relationship with her is to receive a heretic and schismatic, and would therefore be a major sin

Get off the internet if that is what you are reading. Watch some Fr. Mike or other credible sourced videos to learn more about Catholicism, and read the actual Catechism, not someone else’s interpretation of it.

 

[ZemD]

You do not need to distance yourself from your mother. Your interest may bring her back to the faith one day.

 

[DeniseNY]

I’ve heard many people say that it’s my duty to stop having such a deep bond with my mother because she’s an ex-Catholic.

Honestly, tell those folks to pound sand and find a better quality of friends. Their advice is extremely deleterious.

 

[Psalm30]

I’ve heard people claim that to have a good relationship with her is to receive a heretic and schismatic, and would therefore be a major sin.

This isn’t true.

 

[Convert3]

That’s ridiculous!!! Love your mother! How many or our children have fallen away from the Church? Are we to stop loving them? No! Be the Light of Christ in their lives and pray for them!

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Here’s the dilemma: I’ve heard many people say that it’s my duty to stop having such a deep bond with my mother because she’s an ex-Catholic. I’ve heard people claim that to have a good relationship with her is to receive a heretic and schismatic, and would therefore be a major sin.

You need to stop listening to “people”.

The Church would never suggest that you should cut off your mother in this way, any more than they would tell a mother who was a good Catholic with a child who had “fallen away” that she needed to cut off her child. In many cases, the love and good example of the family member brings the one who has drifted away back to a stronger practice of the faith. Indeed, I have heard holy priests give homilies on how their mother was a “Christmas and Easter Catholic” or even a Protestant. Obviously they didn’t renounce her and move out of the family home and never speak to her again.

It sounds like you are somehow speaking with some “extreme” Catholics or listening to their drivel on Youtube or elsewhere. I advise you to stop with this right now before you expose yourself to even more garbage misinformation about the faith.

Mainly Internet resources.

These are not “resources”. As I said, they are garbage.

At your stage of learning about the faith, when you’re not yet knowledgable enough to know that someone who tells you to cut off your beloved mother in this way is speaking contrary to Church teaching, you shouldn’t be reviewing “Internet resources” unless it is some absolutely impeccable source like Pope Francis or Bishop Barron.

 

[Dorothy]

Marinakeer,

Keep loving your mom!

 

[redcatholic]

Many people? Who are these people. You actually know them!?

 

[redcatholic]

Mainly Internet resources.

Hmmm. Well there’s your problem. And furthermore internet resources don’t just usually seek you out. Perhaps you are looking at resources you shouldn’t.

 

[umamibella]

Here’s the dilemma: I’ve heard many people say that it’s my duty to stop having such a deep bond with my mother because she’s an ex-Catholic. I’ve heard people claim that to have a good relationship with her is to receive a heretic and schismatic, and would therefore be a major sin.

Stop listening to those people. They are very wrong.
I am going to say God wants you to love and support your mother but most of all God wants you to
Pray for your mother to find her faith again.

 

[CoffeeCatholic]

I’ve heard many people say that it’s my duty to stop having such a deep bond with my mother because she’s an ex-Catholic. I’ve heard people claim that to have a good relationship with her is to receive a heretic and schismatic, and would therefore be a major sin.

Who in the WORLD are you asking? That’s just ridiculous. It’s your mother!

 

[Legend]

No where do official church documents tell you not to be close to your parents. Be glad that she is encouraging you to check this out! I don’t know whose writing you’re talking about, but my guess it’s someone’s personal opinion. A skewered personal opinion. Be glad for your good relationship with your mom.

About the church…visit, pray, and ask questions.

 

[F_Marturana]

Here’s the dilemma: I’ve heard many people say that it’s my duty to stop having such a deep bond with my mother because she’s an ex-Catholic

This isn’t true at all.

The church permits mixed marriages, and the non catholic parent is to be loved and honored.

There is no teaching that says “Honor your father and mother (unless they aren’t perfect)”

 

[1ke]

I’ve heard many people say that it’s my duty to stop having such a deep bond with my mother because she’s an ex-Catholic.

Who are these “many people”?

I’ve heard people claim that to have a good relationship with her is to receive a heretic and schismatic, and would therefore be a major sin.

You are clearly involved with a fringe group if you have ever “heard” anyone other than a whackadoodle blog poster make such an assertion.

Run far, run fast, don’t look back.

 

[1ke]

Mainly Internet resources.

This is NOT where you should be spending your time. Get off those blogs and never go back. Crazy people are everywhere, and the internet gives them a platform to spread misinformation and crazy ideas.

 

[HollyDolly]

You do not have to stop being involved with your mother.These people are crazy. Jesus would want you to still love her and care about her. Stay away from these people.