Need advice on a Catholic friend getting a protestant dunk

[Andy_Corder]

First of all, to everyone who took the time to help me on this issue, I thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

For me, that is why we are here. To help and support others who are fighting the good fight.

Second, an update: I sat down with her on Saturday privately and told her that I would not attend her dunking because I could not condone her in leaving the Catholic church. I told her that I also thought she should not attend it either for all the reasons everyone here has outlined.

I have invited her several times to attend church with me and asked her more specific reasons as to why she wants to leave. Her answers are all classic Protestant talking points…“catholic church is just a bunch of man made rules”…“catholics don’t follow the bible”…we have all heard them before. Even when I take the time to debunk the arguments, she nods in agreement.

What you did was tough, and I praise you for it and thank God for people like you willing to take a stand on our faith. It is never easy to tell a friend that you will not do something they have asked you to do, especially in the area of religion.

Her learned responses about why she was leaving the Church is a pointed reminder of why we should not just “be at Church”, but rather learn about our faith, what it stands for and what all the different and various symbols and rituals stand for and mean. They are beautiful things, but too many Catholics do not know them.

Bottom line was that I told her to pray about it, do her own research and most importanly…listen to what Jesus is telling her to do. She says that the Holy Spirit is leading her to the other church.

We are still friends, she took it well that I would not attend her event, but she was gone long before I got to her.

I will add her to my prayer list as well. Don’t quit being friends with her, as you may be the link God uses to bring her home sometime in the future.

My prayers are with you!

AC

 

[ethelzguy]

First of all, to everyone who took the time to help me on this issue, I thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

Second, an update: I sat down with her on Saturday privately and told her that I would not attend her dunking because I could not condone her in leaving the Catholic church. I told her that I also thought she should not attend it either for all the reasons everyone here has outlined.

I have invited her several times to attend church with me and asked her more specific reasons as to why she wants to leave. Her answers are all classic Protestant talking points…“catholic church is just a bunch of man made rules”…“catholics don’t follow the bible”…we have all heard them before. Even when I take the time to debunk the arguments, she nods in agreement.

Bottom line was that I told her to pray about it, do her own research and most importanly…listen to what Jesus is telling her to do. She says that the Holy Spirit is leading her to the other church.

We are still friends, she took it well that I would not attend her event, but she was gone long before I got to her.

Once again, thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

Yes, I know it’s hard. Try not going to the wedding of one of your children because they are getting married outside the church.

 

[vocatio]

Yes, I know it’s hard. Try not going to the wedding of one of your children because they are getting married outside the church.

My dad did this and I didn’t realize that is why he did not come. It was actually typical of him not to be part of my life. And since he was the Catholic parent that set such a bad example for me it did not have any effect on me. In fact, I didn’t realize that we are not to attend a wedding like that. Both my best man and my wife’s brides maid are Catholic and were both practing at the time. Later I discovered that my Best man is gay and left his wife for a guy and the Bridesmaid had stopped practicing the faith. It was only after struggling to find a godparent in my family and no one stepping up to the plate that our bridesmaid had to get right, registered and up to par so to speak by taking a class on baptism so that we could have one godparent right witht the church. I often question the wisdom of this tactic because it did nothing but widen the gap between my father an me to the point that I just curesed at his funeral for having put me through hell and that was before I defected. Most Catholic in my life were the most horrible people by example that I had ever known… Today, having returned I realize what was meant by the absentee father. But since he was always an absantee father his example was only receive more scandalous than ever. If parents did their job of teaching there children correctly with love and continued to set a good example the outcome would be much better and this would not be necessary in the first place.

I understand it but it still shows just how far we have to go before we stop looking so darned foolish. I ended up learning on my own later with both parents gone to eternity. Seek the truth and it shall be found. Just because someone throws an cleric on and is ordained doesn’t mean they always make the best decisions. I know, I’ve seen it to many times. That’s why there was a massive exit. Hopefully the laity will leann to teach the faith and actually practice it in public as well as private and not just by mouth…
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However, why would you be worried about whether or not to show up at a friends soapless public bathing… that’s all he/she’s doing anyway is getting wet. Ask your friend if she/he is ready to submit a letter to the Bishop stating that he/she rejects the Catholic Church. If he/she doesn’t then any wedding or other faith action is invalid anyway and they are basiclly living a lie. Or you could take the high road and just pray for your friend without giving verbal or physical support for their choice. But you may want to explain what you are doing because they may not understand your action… Be sure to tell them that even though you are not allowed to show up that you love them and will pray for them… but only say it if you really mean it. Then while that person is doing the sinful act spend some time praying for then during the entire ceremony. Let them know that you are spending an hour before the Blessed Sacrament for them and say a rosary for them asking the Blessed Mother’s intercession… Also try this, pray [or ask which is what we really mean] for your gardian angel and her’s/his to watch over that person and pray constantly for their intecession.

Prayer and education is what is really needed. Sorry if I got something messed up here, I read this some time back and may have gotten off a bit.

 

[vocatio]

sorry for the typos and mispellings…not feeling well and too tired to change it.