Questioning regarding denomination

[LoveMorrissey]

Hi everyone, I am looking for advice on a subject close to my families heart.

My mother, father and brother are all Protestants but I am becoming Catholic. I think my father in particular is not best pleased about this which is very sad.

Cany anyone help me out here? I need to try and explain to them that the Catholic church is the true church of christ.

Thank you,

Andrew Ben

 

[captainrick]

Hi everyone, I am looking for advice on a subject close to my families heart.

My mother, father and brother are all Protestants but I am becoming Catholic. I think my father in particular is not best pleased about this which is very sad.

Cany anyone help me out here? I need to try and explain to them that the Catholic church is the true church of christ.

Thank you,

Andrew Ben

I think that sounds like you are telling them their church is not the true church, which might cause resentment. I think I would say something like “I feel more comfortable with the Catholic Church and it’s traditions and teachings, but I still respect your religion.”

 

[LoveMorrissey]

I think that sounds like you are telling them their church is not the true church, which might cause resentment. I think I would say something like “I feel more comfortable with the Catholic Church and it’s traditions and teachings, but I still respect your religion.”

Excellent advice, thank you very much.

Andrew Ben

 

[underacloud]

Firstly, do not make it your aim to convince them that the Catholic church is the true church of Christ. Your aim should be to help them come to terms with your choice, not to try to get them to agree with the choice itself.

Secondly (related to the above), focus on sharing your faith, not defending it. We should all be able to share our faith, and explain why it is important to us, but the task of defending it is too much for most lay Catholics, which is why we have dedicated apologists and moral theologians.

Thirdly, it is important to understand what their objections are and to answer them if possible. I say this because most protestants I have discuss Catholicism with have great misunderstandings of our faith. And if you read any protestants books or articles attacking our faith, they are usually filled with similar misunderstandings (eg we are saved by works, we worship Mary). Correcting some of the basic misunderstandings make help your family feel less concerned that you are no longer a Christian, and that Catholicism shares the most fundamental elements of faith with other Christians.

 

[LaughingBoy1503]

I can almost guarantee you are not going to convince your parents that The Catholic Church is the one true Church. They probably wont even understand half of what you would try to tell them. And sadly most protestant are not use to having their beliefs questioned by Catholics so you are just going to push them further away if you full on try to Convert them. Just Pray for their conversion and explain what you believe. You can give them food for thought sometimes, but always in a Charitable way. I am a protestant convert, so believe me, I know. My entire family are protestants. Now, they have been pretty respectful of my conversion, but if they try to pull the old “This is biblical, that is not…” stuff with me (my aunt did once) Im gonna show them that The Bible is A Catholic book and that nothing in it contradicts what The Church Teaches, if interpreted correctly. And then I do not sugar coat that I believe The Church that was actually around when The Bible was written, is probably more suited to interpret scripture than any new denomination. And that is why it is important to know your Bible as a Catholic Protestants respect that and it will surprise some of them that a Catholic knows their Bible

Only one relative even asked me why I converted. If your family does, then I don’t see anything wrong with explaining that you think The Catholic Church is the one true Church. I understand that desire to share what you have found with your loved ones but only God can really bring about a conversion in someone’s heart. Plant seeds by your actions and character. If they talk bad about your beliefs, still do not about theirs. But you can certainly defend your faith.

 

[HelenRose]

Be joyful and happy.
Make sure they understand that you Love Jesus with all your heart.
Let them know that you are studying the Bible and that you love the Bible.

Show them more love and understanding that you have ever showed before you became a Catholic.

Show more compassion for those around you that you even did before.

Wake up singing. Wake up grateful. Wake up full of love for your family.

 

[fred_conty]

Give them a big hug and kiss and just say, “I’ll always love you.”