Ok to be a secret Catholic?

[ErinGoBragh]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here on CAF but I have been “browsing” the forums and have come across many interesting threads. This place is a great way to seek answers about God and most everyone are very respectful and will sincerely try to answer your questions. So, I figured I would send out a thread to a question I’ve had for sometime now.

A little background first, My grandparents crossed the sea from Ireland and came to America, both are Irish Catholic but aren’t very active. They will however go to mass on holidays such as Christmas and Easter but apart from that…no go. However, they do still claim the Catholic faith to be true. My parents however…are not Catholic and are in fact, far from it. They’re mormon. How they became that way you ask. They both converted in there early 20’s and served missions in the south (respectively). They possibly were converted because of the lack of activeness of their parents. But I of course will not place the “entire” blame on them, everyone has free agency. They are very active and absolutely believe the church to be true. Now. I have a grandfather who promises me that the Catholic Church is the true church of God. And my dad promises me that the Mormon Church or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church restored. I’ve been raised a mormon and have been told it’s true all my life and that ALL other churches are false. However, recently I’ve been more and more interested in religion and my faith has lingered. I am now in a dilemma. I feel the Catholic church is the true church but I am afraid of the consequences that surround mormons from “falling away”. Not only do I have the “eternal damnation” thing to worry about but i also feel I will bring great disappointment to my family if I “turn” to another religion. Would God allow me to claim Catholicism but still remain at a mormon church? Leaving the LDS church is not as easy as everyone thinks it is…it’s terrifying. Do I have to break all ties to the church of my parents in order to be saved? Can I be a Catholic to everyone else but my family?

 

[mwok]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here on CAF but I have been “browsing” the forums and have come across many interesting threads. This place is a great way to seek answers about God and most everyone are very respectful and will sincerely try to answer your questions. So, I figured I would send out a thread to a question I’ve had for sometime now.

A little background first, My grandparents crossed the sea from Ireland and came to America, both are Irish Catholic but aren’t very active. They will however go to mass on holidays such as Christmas and Easter but apart from that…no go. However, they do still claim the Catholic faith to be true. My parents however…are not Catholic and are in fact, far from it. They’re mormon. How they became that way you ask. They both converted in there early 20’s and served missions in the south (respectively). They possibly were converted because of the lack of activeness of their parents. But I of course will not place the “entire” blame on them, everyone has free agency. They are very active and absolutely believe the church to be true. Now. I have a grandfather who promises me that the Catholic Church is the true church of God. And my dad promises me that the Mormon Church or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church restored. I’ve been raised a mormon and have been told it’s true all my life and that ALL other churches are false. However, recently I’ve been more and more interested in religion and my faith has lingered. I am now in a dilemma. I feel the Catholic church is the true church but I am afraid of the consequences that surround mormons from “falling away”. Not only do I have the “eternal damnation” thing to worry about but i also feel I will bring great disappointment to my family if I “turn” to another religion. Would God allow me to claim Catholicism but still remain at a mormon church? Leaving the LDS church is not as easy as everyone thinks it is…it’s terrifying. Do I have to break all ties to the church of my parents in order to be saved? Can I be a Catholic to everyone else but my family?

I left the Mormon church when I was 18, I am now the only Catholic in my family of Mormons. I wouldn’t worry too much about “outer darkness” as it doesn’t exist.

 

[Pat_the_elder]

Hi ErinGoBragh,

My wife became a Catholic 8 years ago - Her mum is still active in the Church of Scotland and hasn’t got a great regard for Catholicsm. Out of respect for her mum’s feelings and for her age (85) - she hasn’t told her. It’s a bit different from your situation - We’ve been married 25yrs and live in a different part of the country to my mother in law but you have my simpathy, empathy and prayers

 

[LDNCatholic]

Do I have to break all ties to the church of my parents in order to be saved? Can I be a Catholic to everyone else but my family?

Can you make every Sunday Mass? And Holy days of obligation?
Can you avoid participation in Mormon ceremonies?
What happens when Mission work comes up?

No, I do not think it’s possible. There are plenty of former Mormons on these forums. They made it out, so will you. Your break from Mormonism might even rekindle your parents faith.

You are in my prayers.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

If you are no longer living under your parents’ roof, and not living in Saudi Arabia, then not ok to be a secret Catholic.

Get to confession next Saturday or make an appointment for during the week and tell the priest everything you’ve written here. And get to Mass every Sunday and on the Holydays designated by your bishop.

Check out your parish’s Web site and your diocesan Web site.

Read up.

There are interesting activities at your and adjacent parishes and some GREAT and long overdue “word changes” to the Mass coming up in a couple of months. In September, many parishes will be having seminars … so … it would be very helpful to start participating.

If you believe that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Jesus, Himself, and that the Eucharist IS the Body and Blood of Jesus … read John 6:20-70 … HE makes it very emphatic … then get to Mass every Sunday and participate in your parish.

Pray for your parents. Study John 6 and ask them why Jesus went on and on in John 6 about the NEED to eat His Body and drink His Blood.

Important stuff and vital for individuals’ salvation … especially for people who are so “involved” in missionary work.

 

[queenstarfish71]

Sorry to say but any faith or organization that has consequence for leaving can’t be a good place to be. I sure that your parents love you and will understand if you explain it to them like an adult.

Good luck to you!! Will pray for you!

 

[The_Old_Medic]

I had a very similar problem, but i was only 9 years old when I converted. My family is VERY fundamentalist, and most of them believe that the Pope is literally the Devil Incarnate on Earth!

But, I was open and honest about my conversion. I took some flak, until my maternal grandfather (who was a Free Methodist Minister for 55 years) put a stop to it. He stated that a person path to God was theirs, and that no person should comment on it. I am however certain that he prayed for my immortal soul each and every day till he died.

Be honest about your beliefs. You can not serve two masters. You can’t be LDS at home, and Catholic elsewhere. That would be the height of hyprocricy at a minimum, and downright sacreligious in BOTH faiths.

You are either LDS, or you are not. If you do not believe that the LDS Church is true, then stand up for your beliefs. You never know, it is possible that in their hearts, your parents have their own doubts, and you might be the spark to lead them back home.

 

[CompSciGuy]

I had a very similar problem, but i was only 9 years old when I converted. My family is VERY fundamentalist, and most of them believe that the Pope is literally the Devil Incarnate on Earth!

But, I was open and honest about my conversion. I took some flak, until my maternal grandfather (who was a Free Methodist Minister for 55 years) put a stop to it. He stated that a person path to God was theirs, and that no person should comment on it. I am however certain that he prayed for my immortal soul each and every day till he died.

Be honest about your beliefs. You can not serve two masters. You can’t be LDS at home, and Catholic elsewhere. That would be the height of hyprocricy at a minimum, and downright sacreligious in BOTH faiths.

You are either LDS, or you are not. If you do not believe that the LDS Church is true, then stand up for your beliefs. You never know, it is possible that in their hearts, your parents have their own doubts, and you might be the spark to lead them back home.

You converted to Catholicism at the age of 9??? I’d be interested to hear that story.

 

[Newbie2]

You converted to Catholicism at the age of 9??? I’d be interested to hear that story.

Dittos.

 

[dolphinlove]

Everyone is saying stand up for what you want, which is what you will need to do, but dont forget you have the backing of your Grandparents as well.
Jesus is calling you home, and you should be so thankful for that, following the true path and be true to yourself is the best thing you can do, not only for you, but for your belief in Jesus.
This could be the starting point for your parents conversion back to the truth as well, challenge them, show them why you dont believe the lsd church is right, they will start to come around.
It will probably be a long path, but it will be fruitful, you should not hide who you truly are, and never be ashamed to be Catholic.
I will pray for you and your families conversion back to the true faith

 

[codefro]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here on CAF but I have been “browsing” the forums and have come across many interesting threads. This place is a great way to seek answers about God and most everyone are very respectful and will sincerely try to answer your questions. So, I figured I would send out a thread to a question I’ve had for sometime now.

A little background first, My grandparents crossed the sea from Ireland and came to America, both are Irish Catholic but aren’t very active. They will however go to mass on holidays such as Christmas and Easter but apart from that…no go. However, they do still claim the Catholic faith to be true. My parents however…are not Catholic and are in fact, far from it. They’re mormon. How they became that way you ask. They both converted in there early 20’s and served missions in the south (respectively). They possibly were converted because of the lack of activeness of their parents. But I of course will not place the “entire” blame on them, everyone has free agency. They are very active and absolutely believe the church to be true. Now. I have a grandfather who promises me that the Catholic Church is the true church of God. And my dad promises me that the Mormon Church or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church restored. I’ve been raised a mormon and have been told it’s true all my life and that ALL other churches are false. However, recently I’ve been more and more interested in religion and my faith has lingered. I am now in a dilemma. I feel the Catholic church is the true church but I am afraid of the consequences that surround mormons from “falling away”. Not only do I have the “eternal damnation” thing to worry about but i also feel I will bring great disappointment to my family if I “turn” to another religion. Would God allow me to claim Catholicism but still remain at a mormon church? Leaving the LDS church is not as easy as everyone thinks it is…it’s terrifying. Do I have to break all ties to the church of my parents in order to be saved? Can I be a Catholic to everyone else but my family?

I agree with everyone on this forum. You will need to completely break with the Mormon Church to recieve the salvation granted in the Catholic Church. The early Christians were not granted the authority to practice pagan ritual while secretly being Catholic. They were given the choice of Christ, or the world. If you desire Christ, in order for God to purge the sin from your heart, the choice must be completely on Him.

I also agree, you can be a light to your parents and hopefully show your parents the error of the Mormon faith.

Remember it is all about love. So anything you do decide, act with the highest sense of humility and love. Christ will be with you if you completely choose him, not to mention the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Eringo, take it a step at a time. Begin with prayer, going to mass and reading the Bible. A lot of RCIAs are starting now, in September. Find one at a parish, just show up, and continue your discernment. There is nothing to fear in following where God leads you.

There are many former mormons here, including myself.

 

[Miriam1947]

Dittos.

Ditto, too.

 

[puzzleannie]

I am now in a dilemma. I feel the Catholic church is the true church but I am afraid of the consequences that surround mormons from “falling away”. Not only do I have the “eternal damnation” thing to worry about but i also feel I will bring great disappointment to my family if I “turn” to another religion. Would God allow me to claim Catholicism but still remain at a mormon church??

you choose
God or your family.
If the Catholic Church is correct and she is the Church founded by Jesus Christ and with his authority, protected by the Holy Spirit holds and teaches the fullness of truth, you have no choice. The only way it would be permissible to hold the faith in secret would be in a place and time of persecution, China for instance. The USA is not that place–yet.

No you cannot lie to God, nor can you lie to yourself, and try to live as a Mormon outwardly. The two faiths are opposed to each other since the latter specifically deny the principle tenets of the Catholic faith.

why not take this one step at a time. honor your parents as long as you live in their household and depend upon them support and continue to study the Catholic faith as you can, including this site. When you are ready and able, begin RCIA at a Catholic parish where you can ask questions and get answers, and when the time is right, and you are ready, move toward sacraments and Christian initiation.

 

[Swiss_Guy]

Well, I THINK it’s ok to be a secret Catholic if you are in your parents house/aren’t 18 (or else I better get over to my nearest parish on my bike and start in RCIA now!!). but when you leave, become a Catholic. That’s what I would/will do . Your situation sounds kind of like mine. A lot of people know I will become Catholic besides my parents, and even they are having suspicions/(might) know.

God bless.

Joey.

 

[PJM]

=ErinGoBragh;Hello everyone!
This is my first post here on CAF

A little background first, My grandparents crossed the sea from Ireland and came to America, both are Irish Catholic but aren’t very active. They will however go to mass on holidays such as Christmas and Easter but apart from that…no go. However, they do still claim the Catholic faith to be true. My parents however…are not Catholic and are in fact, far from it. They’re mormon. How they became that way you ask. They both converted in there early 20’s and served missions in the south (respectively). They possibly were converted because of the lack of activeness of their parents. But I of course will not place the “entire” blame on them, everyone has free agency. They are very active and absolutely believe the church to be true. Now. I have a grandfather who promises me that the Catholic Church is the true church of God. And my dad promises me that the Mormon Church or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church restored. I’ve been raised a mormon and have been told it’s true all my life and that ALL other churches are false. However, recently I’ve been more and more interested in religion and my faith has lingered. I am now in a dilemma. I feel the Catholic church is the true church but I am afraid of the consequences that surround mormons from “falling away”. Not only do I have the “eternal damnation” thing to worry about but i also feel I will bring great disappointment to my family if I “turn” to another religion. Would God allow me to claim Catholicism but still remain at a mormon church? Leaving the LDS church is not as easy as everyone thinks it is…it’s terrifying. Do I have to break all ties to the church of my parents in order to be saved? Can I be a Catholic to everyone else but my family?

***My dear friend in Christ;
First a sincere welcome to CAF!

The question you pose is easy to respond too, BUT will require sacrifice.

The short answer is NO! One is either an informed and fully practicing Catholic or one is NOT. I know this is not what you’d like to hear especially with your grand parents not being fully practing, and your parents being at best; unsupportive.

Catholism requires a commitment that is noting less than a personal Covenant bond between you and your God. The Rites of Iniation include by necessity: Christian Baptism; Confession /Reconcillation; Eucharist [Jesus Himself] and Confirmation. These four Sacraments are ALL instituted by Jesus Himself and are absolutely essential to joining the RCC.

As a necessary bit of information the LDS / Morman faith is NOT a Chrsitian Faith at all; and is actually a form of “cult.” Space does not permit the details; but send me a Private Message if you’d like to know why?

WHY Join the RCC?*

1. Nowhere in the ENTIRE Bible does God even once permit belief in ANY God but Him, or to accept any Teachings [Faith-beliefs] other than His [and the CC who hold the keys to heaven] or more than the One and the ONLY Church founded by God; not some man-made religion.
2. Only the CC has the fullness of religious Truth warrantied by Christ Himself.
3. The CC “birthed the Bible” and therefore She alone is qualifed and warrantied by Christ to interpet and TEACH its actual and FULL message [John 14:16-17; John 17:15-19; John 20:19-22 and Mt. 16:15-19]
4. God only founded one Faith and One Church, todays CC

1Pet.4: 13 ” But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1Pet.5: 1, 9 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.”

**2Tim.4: 5 **“As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Phil.1: 29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, “

**2Thes.1: 5 **“This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be made worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering “

Heb. 2: 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.

1. Christ Paid a price and anyone seeking Salvation MUST expect to participate is Christ suffering in order to also participate in Christ Glory.

Know that you are in my Prayers!

God Bless you,
Pat**

 

[ErinGoBragh]

I thank you ALL for your answers and words of encouragement. For anyone’s information, I have served a full time mission to Canada preaching the LDS doctrine. I’m also attending BYU which as most everyone knows is a mormon school. Not only that, the school requires a sense of “code” in order to attend there. I.E. church attendance…If i don’t go to church, I don’t go to school. And on top of that, since returning from my mission 2 in a half years ago, I’ve been busy with school and haven’t had time to find a job, so my parents are paying for my schooling. I’m not trying to have an excuse to not join the Catholic church or break all ties from them. But if I do that now…I’m out of college, and who knows where I could end up. I could always apply to another school, perhaps a state school but cost would still come into effect along with transfer credits. Many of you have said that if I still live under my parents I should respect them and not do anything rational yet. But does my circumstance fall into that category also?

 

[Miriam1947]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here on CAF but I have been “browsing” the forums and have come across many interesting threads. This place is a great way to seek answers about God and most everyone are very respectful and will sincerely try to answer your questions. So, I figured I would send out a thread to a question I’ve had for sometime now.

A little background first, My grandparents crossed the sea from Ireland and came to America, both are Irish Catholic but aren’t very active. They will however go to mass on holidays such as Christmas and Easter but apart from that…no go. However, they do still claim the Catholic faith to be true. My parents however…are not Catholic and are in fact, far from it. They’re mormon. How they became that way you ask. They both converted in there early 20’s and served missions in the south (respectively). They possibly were converted because of the lack of activeness of their parents. But I of course will not place the “entire” blame on them, everyone has free agency. They are very active and absolutely believe the church to be true. Now. I have a grandfather who promises me that the Catholic Church is the true church of God. And my dad promises me that the Mormon Church or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church restored. I’ve been raised a mormon and have been told it’s true all my life and that ALL other churches are false. However, recently I’ve been more and more interested in religion and my faith has lingered. I am now in a dilemma. I feel the Catholic church is the true church but I am afraid of the consequences that surround mormons from “falling away”. Not only do I have the “eternal damnation” thing to worry about but i also feel I will bring great disappointment to my family if I “turn” to another religion. Would God allow me to claim Catholicism but still remain at a mormon church? Leaving the LDS church is not as easy as everyone thinks it is…it’s terrifying. Do I have to break all ties to the church of my parents in order to be saved? Can I be a Catholic to everyone else but my family?

You are in a very difficult position and I will keep you in my prayers.

If you lived in another part of the world where Catholics are martyred daily for the faith then keeping it secret would make sense.

Right now you are feeling a call toward the Catholic Church. Rejoice and be glad for the Holy Spirit is working in you.

Take your time. Attend RCIA, learn the faith. During this process ask for the support of your grandparents. You might help them to become more involved in their faith because just Easter and Christmas Catholicism is not really the best way to live the faith.

If it is possible for you, start talking to your parents about your search. But, you are the only one who really knows your family situation so this part is totally your call.

Pray and pray some more. Truly it is the most important thing you can do during your search.

Åsk God for help. Pray to the Holy Spirit and start going to Mass if you are not already.

 

[amber_lux]

I have served a full time mission to Canada preaching the LDS doctrine.

In the mid-nineties, an estimated three quarters of missionaries that went out, were not Temple qualified six months after returning from the mission field. In the mid-200’s, that estimate had dropped to a third.

the school requires a sense of “code” in order to attend there. I.E. church attendance…If i don’t go to church, I don’t go to school.

Reread their rules. Their rules are framed in terms of LDS theology and practices. You can’t get out of the prohibition on pre-marital intercourse, etc. However, you can substitute the church of your faith, for the lds church, if you exactly match everything required of a mormon going to an lds church. That includes the four or five hours of church attendence on Sunday.

I could always apply to another school, perhaps a state school but cost would still come into effect along with transfer credits.

Credits should transfer to the University of Utah. Not sure what the financial impact would be.

Amber

 

[Karen1960]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here on CAF but I have been “browsing” the forums and have come across many interesting threads. This place is a great way to seek answers about God and most everyone are very respectful and will sincerely try to answer your questions. So, I figured I would send out a thread to a question I’ve had for sometime now.

A little background first, My grandparents crossed the sea from Ireland and came to America, both are Irish Catholic but aren’t very active. They will however go to mass on holidays such as Christmas and Easter but apart from that…no go. However, they do still claim the Catholic faith to be true. My parents however…are not Catholic and are in fact, far from it. They’re mormon. How they became that way you ask. They both converted in there early 20’s and served missions in the south (respectively). They possibly were converted because of the lack of activeness of their parents. But I of course will not place the “entire” blame on them, everyone has free agency. They are very active and absolutely believe the church to be true. Now. I have a grandfather who promises me that the Catholic Church is the true church of God. And my dad promises me that the Mormon Church or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church restored. I’ve been raised a mormon and have been told it’s true all my life and that ALL other churches are false. However, recently I’ve been more and more interested in religion and my faith has lingered. I am now in a dilemma. I feel the Catholic church is the true church but I am afraid of the consequences that surround mormons from “falling away”. Not only do I have the “eternal damnation” thing to worry about but i also feel I will bring great disappointment to my family if I “turn” to another religion. Would God allow me to claim Catholicism but still remain at a mormon church? Leaving the LDS church is not as easy as everyone thinks it is…it’s terrifying. Do I have to break all ties to the church of my parents in order to be saved? Can I be a Catholic to everyone else but my family?

Welcome Glad you are here.

Your second to last question is what you should consider above all. What is more important, acceptence of family and church members or your salvation?

I know it may hurt relationships, but Jesus told us plainly that one must give up their lives (what we love of this world) in order to follow Him.
On the same token, you are to show respect to your parents too, but that does not include holding on to beliefs they have that you know are not true.

Praying for you