Opposition from Family When Coming into the Church

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EqualinHim

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Hi. Some of you guys have read my previous posts about my mother and I’s disagreements over faith matters. I’m happy to tell you that my relationship with my mother has improved somewhat, probably thanks to intervention from my father. But I was talking to two friends about opposition that they faced when coming into the church. One friend’s mother cut off her college tuition after she had reverted. She had been baptized catholic, but not truly brought up in the faith because her mother was a protestant who disagreed with a lot of catholic teachings. Another friend of mine had a mother who refused to speak to him for several months following his decision to convert. Both friends had mothers who eventually reconciled with their children. I intend to ask my friends more about this in-person but wanted to hear more about this from other catholics outside my close circle of friends. So I ask this to you:
  1. Converts, did you face any opposition from your family when coming into the church? What form did it take?
  2. What was the method that you used to resolve the strained relations between you and your family members?
  3. What advice would you give to anyone facing this issue?
 
First, I mean this is a nice way, baptized people who join the Church and not converts. It’s more appropriate to say something like “those coming into full communion” or “those joining the Catholic Church”. Non-baptized becoming baptized are “converts” to Christianity.

As to your question, I wouldn’t do anything special. We can’t control others and they will believe what they want to believe. Be cordial and kind. I would suggest not speaking about it unless they bring it up, charitably speak the truth, and let them receive it as they will.

Good luck and welcome!
 
I generally use the term “converts” when referring to unbaptized, protestants or non Christians entering the Church; for Orthodox, I generally use the term you did, “full Communion” or transferred into the Church. The reason is, one never knows if someone says they are protestant, if they were baptized, if it was valid, what their core understanding is, etc, and there are so many versions and differences by pastor.
 
EqualinHim said:
Hi. Some of you guys have read my previous posts about my mother and I’s disagreements over faith matters. I’m happy to tell you that my relationship with my mother has improved somewhat, probably thanks to intervention from my father. But I was talking to two friends about opposition that they faced when coming into the church. One friend’s mother cut off her college tuition after she had reverted. She had been baptized catholic, but not truly brought up in the faith because her mother was a protestant who disagreed with a lot of catholic teachings. Another friend of mine had a mother who refused to speak to him for several months following his decision to convert. Both friends had mothers who eventually reconciled with their children. I intend to ask my friends more about this in-person but wanted to hear more about this from other catholics outside my close circle of friends. So I ask this to you:
  1. Converts, did you face any opposition from your family when coming into the church? What form did it take?
  2. What was the method that you used to resolve the strained relations between you and your family members?
  3. What advice would you give to anyone facing this issue?
Click to expand...
1). My mom thinks anyone who picks any religion is a fanatic.
2. None really, in over 20 years she makes no effort to understand my beliefs.
3. My advice is to make darn sure you are independent and autonomous in your life.
 
Hoosier_Daddy said:
1). My mom thinks anyone who picks any religion is a fanatic.
2. None really, in over 20 years she makes no effort to understand my beliefs.
3. My advice is to make darn sure you are independent and autonomous in your life.
Click to expand...
This is probably the most realistic advice you are going to get.

Just because God granted the gift of reconciliation to your friends, is no guarantee he will do the same to you. Heck, JP 2 was a great Catholic and God took all his family from this earth to heaven.

Pray to God for guidance in yor actions and peace over strained relatioships
 
It took my mother in law about 5 years before she could really talk to my husband, after he converted; his father never really did, but they were not close anyway. I know you are probably excited and on fire for the Lord and the Church, but try not to talk about it too much in front of your Mom or other concerned family members. Answer questions and have informative, charitable exchange of opinions, but let the negative comments and snide remarks go. Above all, pray, pray, pray. It would not be the first time the Holy Spirit worked through a family member and brought everyone into the Church! 😉
 
I would recommend never arguing, even if there are any comments that you really want to argue… don’t talk too much about your faith, but if someone seems open, share something that might help them. (but in a friendly way, not in a “teaching” sort of way). Pray a lot. Be an example of a peaceful joyful Catholic.

This is based on mistakes I’ve made that I wish now I hadn’t made
 
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