Secret Catholic from cousins

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attaininggrace

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I have been Catholic for ages. My parents have both passed away but I have many cousins. Some are born-again, some are not religious and at least one is an atheist. I have told the Catholic one’s. A nun said that it was probably a good idea not to tell them. I know that they will either think that I am nuts or misguided.
What do others think of this situation?
 
Each one is an individual. Gently guide a conversation and see what happens. People who don’t practice a religion or talk about religion might be the first individuals. For them, after previous conversations about religion, to assess, a casual mention of your plans for Easter might be appropriate.

Obviously, the nun who advised you might have been more knowledgeable about your particular situation. If it was a long time ago, if you had led a wild life before your conversion, it is entirely appropriate now.
 
I really wouldn’t worry about what they think. Quite frankly, it’s none of their business.
 
Hello Guanophone,

‘Some of the cousins are born-again.’ They go to a church called ReachOut and they also like Hillsong, etc. They seem to be born-again in the old Methodist manner - I think that they asked Jesus to come into their hearts and they actually got baptised by being ‘dunked’ in the river.
 
I have told some of the Catholic cousins that I converted to Catholicism. The iPad put an apostrophe in ‘ones’!
 
attaininggrace said:
‘Some of the cousins are born-again.’ They go to a church called ReachOut and they also like Hillsong, etc. They seem to be born-again in the old Methodist manner - I think that they asked Jesus to come into their hearts and they actually got baptised by being ‘dunked’ in the river.
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Do you think you have been “born-again”?
 
I haven’t studied the Catholic position on being born-again in the Church. I know that I am much happier and more at peace since I started going to the church or the Cathedral regularly. As a former Anglican I find the concept of the Pope a bit difficult, especially when my parents were very anti-‘Popery,’ but that is another topic …
 
attaininggrace said:
I haven’t studied the Catholic position on being born-again in the Church.
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The Apostles taught that we are born again from above in Baptism, so you are also “born again”. What you have not done is have a second and unnecessary “dunking” in a lake.
 
Thank you very much, Guanophone. You explained it very clearly.

I will tell my cousins this, if necessary.
 
Yes, indeed many large extended families have similar situations among the cousins, distant cousins, nephews, and nieces. Seems to be quite common these days. It was not that way back in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and decades prior to that. People were much more conforming and followed established structures, rules, and traditions. Not so anymore - modern culture, the media, and independent minded individuals with free will and choice pretty much do as they please. I feel sorry for them, because they don’t stay rooted in the Church, which is so wonderfully focused on Jesus and his teachings. Too bad they are missing the wonderful traditions, and rich history.
 
I am not keen on conflict! I have told one ‘born-again’ cousin that I have been going to the Catholic Church and Cathedral, but I told her by email. There has been no answer yet. But she actually said during a conversation that she didn’t regard Catholics and Anglicans as Christians!
I also have an anti-Catholic friend and tried to tell her but gave up!
 
It’s the case for many born-again : they see Catholics as non-christian, but papists. If they wan’t to convert, they re-baptize them.

It’s sad, because the Catholic Church recognize the Baptism of all Christian as valid, and some Protestant communities too.

You are free to decide if you want to come out as a Catholic or not.
 
First of all, please help me understand how you expect this to play out. You wake up some day and one by one call all these people to say ‘I have been hiding something from you, I am Catholic’??? I don’t see the need to tell them officially. Just lead your life and if they ask, proudly admit to being catholic.

But more importantly, why would you want to spend time with people who will shame you for your religious choices?
 
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