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JHow
Guest
This thought in no way describes how Catholics understand the position and authority of the Pope.
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CopticChristian
Guest
Steve,
This is good advice. This is bad advice.
I agree that being baptized is good. The youngster has said that he is too young to be confirmed and I would assume that there is some sacramental knowledge.
I cannot imagine a “local church” that will just baptize you. This illuminates your lack of understanding of Baptism and what it is you are guiding this person to. No Baptism is given in either Anglican or Roman Church just because you show up.
I can imagine any Protestant Church that baptizes accepting someone for Baptism with the underlying notion…“oh boy another soul saved, another convert”…
I suggest you think through your suggestions and advice and perhaps ask a question…
Like
Have you been baptized?
C
CopticChristian
Guest
Haldren,
You are yonger than 18. Understand that all the advice you have been given is given in good spirit. I suggested you start from the beginning…joining a Church is almost like getting married…it isn’t like dating…so let me ask you this
Have you been through Roman Catholic RCIA?..this doesn’t commit you to becoming Roman Catholic.
Have you talked to a Catholic priest?
Have you read the Youth Catechism for Catholics?
Let me know please.
G
GKC
Guest
Midst the plethora of opinion and suggestions you’ve received, I’s say this. The question you ask is an important one and you should inquire and seek information on both approaches, diligently.
If, after doing so, and understanding what each teaches and requires, you can fully affirm what the Roman Catholic Church requires you to affirm, I’d suggest following that path.
GKC
If, after doing so, and understanding what each teaches and requires, you can fully affirm what the Roman Catholic Church requires you to affirm, I’d suggest following that path.
GKC
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triumphguy
Guest
Hadron21
Congratulations on being astute enough and bold enough to search for the truth.
Congratulations on being astute enough and bold enough to search for the truth.
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bzkoss236
Guest
I think you misunderstand muslim beliefs. They do not recognize the New Testament as scripture, like the jews of today, and do not recognize Jesus as Messiah. Protestants recognize Jesus as the Messiah, but do not understand his work of salvation the same as we do.
And to those talking about Anglicans coming into the Roman Catholic Church, a good friend of my fiancee, a former Anglican, recently joined the Catholic Church this past Easter! We are so happy for her! In her own words: “I can understand how it would be harder for someone in the U.K. to get it, but for those in the U.S., if you look at the Catholic Church and history, how can you be Anglican?”
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SteveLy
Guest
This is my understanding of Baptism.
CCC VI. THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM
1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.60 He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them.61 Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.62 The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.
While both Anglican and Catholic won’t baptize without instruction, they can’t instruct until someone enters the doors. So while I did not lay out each step they would have to take, without being connected to a church, the first step, they won’t get instruction.
As well as this:
CCC V. WHO CAN BAPTIZE?
1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon.57 In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize58 , by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.59
Secondly, I presumed the person would choose an Anglican or Catholic church by the heading, though the important part is getting connected to a church and getting baptized. Doesn’t mater if a Protestant Mega-Church or tiny Congregational, or Anglican /Catholic baptism is the means by which someone enters into the household of God. This person expressed a desire to follow Christ by intention of joining a church, the next step is Baptism.
My concern with the OP comment was they appear to be past the age of reason, have knowledge of Jesus yet have not expressed to us whether they are in the body of Christ, just desiring to be. If they have been baptized then my comment can be disregarded.
So the concern of one who believes Baptism is the entry point and who sees one presumably not connected, is how do we get them into the family. That was the reasoning behind the question.
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SteveVH
Guest
I would start with the origin of each Church. The Catholic Church started in 33 A.D. by the Son of God. The Anglican Church began due to political reasons and the head of that Churc
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Haldren21
Guest
I’ve been reading Catechism of the Catholic Church, but I haven’t spoken to a priest or been baptized. By the way, I’m 14. I’ll be waiting till I’m 18 to do RCIA because whenever I bring up Catholicism my parents just say that every priest is a pedophile.
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CopticChristian
Guest
Haldren,
Listen to your parents in all things however not all priests are pedophiles. Pedophiles exist in every Church, Police, Fire, Medical field…they exist…it is sad but they exist.
There is a youtube video if I can find it you should watch…your baptism of desire is ever as good as a formal baptism…
Until then, keep reading, love your parents, don’t question them obstinately…try to discuss things with them and when you get older decide what you want to do…
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Haldren21
Guest
Thank you very much for the advice!
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Swiss_Guy
Guest
5
504Katrin
Guest
yeah, and what kindof confession is dat?
Hey Haldren21, don’t let this guy lure you in!
Just playing with you guys. I can see the fight over your soul, Haldren21, has just begun
Seriously though, everything evolves around the Eucharist in the end. If you long for the Eucharist, everything is already said and done. Cause if the Eucharist is most important in your life, everything else will come easily to you, may it be opinions you will abondon, or may it be growing so close to the Catholic church that you will NEVER ever want to leave it again. You wouldn’t want to live without it, trust me
Oh, and what others already said about Protestantism is true. They’re cherry picking. As I’ve already mentioned above though, live ain’t easier as a Protestant, as a matter of fact, what seems to make Catholicism difficult to them is what you will LOVE the most
All the best you way, and may the L0rd and Mary be with you
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pablope
Guest
Do you have friends who are Catholics? Ask them, with your parents ok (since you are 14) if you could go with them to Sunday mass? Call the catholic parish too, see if they can find someone to take you and back…God willing, and with your parents ok…anyway, just a thought.
As for choosing between Anglican and Catholic…ponder on this:
1 Samuel 15:22-23
22 But Samuel replied:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”
Look at the history of both…which church was founded on disobedience? Should the king/queen of england be the head of a Church?
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Haldren21
Guest
I recently discovered that it’s possible to watch mass on television, so I’ll be doing that from now on. Thanks for the advice guys!
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LEMAITRE
Guest
Your list contains frequent mention of ‘I think’, ‘I believe’ and "should, could’ etc
If you want to convert to Catholicism then you should know that the Magisterium decides what is Doctrine and teaches the masses what they must believe.
There is no room for ifs or buts or ‘I think’, ‘I believe’, ‘I …’ etc.
If Catholics publicly challenge the Doctrines of the Church and ‘claim’ or claim to be speaking for the Church by proxy or misunderstanding, they may be misguided or deliberate but they are placing their soul in jeopardy.
Christ left us a Church who has always decided Doctrine and then taught the Masses.
Thinking that we know better than the Church which has guided us for over 2000years is a dangerous route to follow.
Jesus was very clear that there will be people who turn their backs when they don’t like what they are hearing or too difficult a Doctrine for them to follow.
If you want to convert to Catholicism then you should know that the Magisterium decides what is Doctrine and teaches the masses what they must believe.
There is no room for ifs or buts or ‘I think’, ‘I believe’, ‘I …’ etc.
If Catholics publicly challenge the Doctrines of the Church and ‘claim’ or claim to be speaking for the Church by proxy or misunderstanding, they may be misguided or deliberate but they are placing their soul in jeopardy.
Christ left us a Church who has always decided Doctrine and then taught the Masses.
Thinking that we know better than the Church which has guided us for over 2000years is a dangerous route to follow.
Jesus was very clear that there will be people who turn their backs when they don’t like what they are hearing or too difficult a Doctrine for them to follow.
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CopticChristian
Guest
Le,
Did you not notice that the young person is 14. Good advice. I wonder though as I see your advice and recognize your identity as Catholic considering Islam…is that correct?
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liturgyluver
Guest
You are right about disobedience but the English Monarch is not the Head of the Anglican Church. The Episcopal Church for example is a separate entity within the Anglican Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most important cleric in the CofE -the Monarch’s role is effectively nominal, they are “supreme governor” but not head, and this historical peculiarity applies only to England, no other parts of the Anglican Communion.
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GKC
Guest
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SteveLy
Guest
Last I checked, Matthew 16:18 Jesus claimed it is His church. So, while certain men have been given temporary charge of it, Christ is still the head. Just saying…
New International Version (©1984)
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
New Living Translation (©2007)
Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
English Standard Version (©2001)
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
International Standard Version (©2008)
I tell you that you are Peter, and it is on this rock that I will build my congregation, and the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
“Also I say to you, that you are Kaypha, and upon this stone I shall build my church, and the gates of Sheol will not withstand it.”
GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995)
You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of hell will not overpower it.
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.
American King James Version
And I say also to you, That you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
American Standard Version
And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Darby Bible Translation
And I also, I say unto thee that thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and hades’ gates shall not prevail against it.
English Revised Version
And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Webster’s Bible Translation
And I say also to thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Weymouth New Testament
And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph over it.
World English Bible
I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Young’s Literal Translation
'And I also say to thee, that thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my assembly, and gates of Hades shall not prevail against it;
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