Now Maybe More Lutherans Will Come Home to Rome

[David_Frye]

This decision is distressing, to say the least, to many Lutherans. But in a way, it brings some clarity to a situation that has festered for a long time, in much the same was as a medical diagnosis can bring some peace to an individual suffering from some unnamed malady. This issues surrounding human sexuality and ordination were both deferred from the time of the formation of the ELCA in 1988. So, now, at least we are clear on the direction the ELCA has chosen to head, and we can pray for guidance in responding.

Here is my situation and my question. I am an ordained minister in the ELCA, remarried to a woman raised Catholic and whose first marriage was to a Lutheran. What would a path look like for us to make the journey from the ELCA to the Catholic Church? What possibilities would the Catholic Church consider to make use of the education and experience I have as a pastor for the sake of the Church? What would the Church make of our marriage?

Thanks for your assistance.

 

[mjakemccoy]

Here is my situation and my question. I am an ordained minister in the ELCA, remarried to a woman raised Catholic and whose first marriage was to a Lutheran. What would a path look like for us to make the journey from the ELCA to the Catholic Church? What possibilities would the Catholic Church consider to make use of the education and experience I have as a pastor for the sake of the Church? What would the Church make of our marriage?
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Glad to hear you’ve seen the light, I come from a protestant background myself. The best resource I know for people with your background is EWTN. It’s a satellite TV Catholic network that has great resources for the journey back to Rome for Protestant ministers. It’s on channel 261 in dish network. “The Journey Home” is a program done by a former protestant minister that usually has protestant converts on his show and they have phenominal resources, it airs on 6 pm monday, 8 am tuesday, 9 pm saturday. You can also check out www.ewtn.com. May God continue to guide you on this journey.

Jake McCoy

 

[Aramis]

This decision is distressing, to say the least, to many Lutherans. But in a way, it brings some clarity to a situation that has festered for a long time, in much the same was as a medical diagnosis can bring some peace to an individual suffering from some unnamed malady. This issues surrounding human sexuality and ordination were both deferred from the time of the formation of the ELCA in 1988. So, now, at least we are clear on the direction the ELCA has chosen to head, and we can pray for guidance in responding.

Here is my situation and my question. I am an ordained minister in the ELCA, remarried to a woman raised Catholic and whose first marriage was to a Lutheran. What would a path look like for us to make the journey from the ELCA to the Catholic Church? What possibilities would the Catholic Church consider to make use of the education and experience I have as a pastor for the sake of the Church? What would the Church make of our marriage?

Thanks for your assistance.

You would definitely need to take instruction in the Faith; your wife would not, but probably should sit in on it anyway.

An annullment and convalidation would seem in order; I’m unclear as to who is the remarried one. If your wife, then almost assuredly. If you, I’m uncertain. Once the status of the prior marriage is cleared up, then a convalidation of the current marriage.

If it was your wife who was married prior, and to a lutheran, that’s easy. As a catholic, lack of form. In essence, for a Catholic, any marriage without the blessing of a Catholic minister isn’t a valid marriage. Therefore, she probably wasn’t “validly” married to him, and isn’t to you, either, but a convalidation is a fix for that.

Validity isn’t to say it wasn’t a good union, merely that it wasn’t a sacramental marriage, which is dissolved only in death.

If it was you, it’s a different matter. A marriage between two Non-Catholic/Orthodox Christians is considered valid but dissolvable…

Talk to the local Catholic bishop. Make an appointment, and be there with open mind and heart. Since you are a minister, and interested in remaining one, it’s a long road and the bishop is the first person you need to talk to, since he will be your superior, and your sponsor to Rome, should he accept you as a clerical candidate. If he does, be aware that you will be ordained as a Catholic, and that the process takes several years. Such clerical candidates will be candidates, then will be a layman for some time, then installed into minor orders, then ordained to the deaconate… and some further to the priesthood.