Should I convert if I don't embrace ALL Catholic teachings?

[Dorm_Mom]

Hi. I’ve been doing a lot of reading in the past few months on Catholic doctrine and have embraced most of the teachings of the Catholic church. Mainly Marian theology and barrier methods of birth control are my only snags on fully embracing all of the Catholic church. I can accept no birth control as a form of obedience even if I don’t agree with the reasoning, but I’m stuck on Marian theology. For all my reading, I don’t get the Immaculate Conception or the Perpetual Virginity.

I pray about it, have talked with a Catholic friend and I just don’t get it. I don’t know why understanding this is hidden from me or why I can’t grasp it.

So, should I proceed with converting even if I don’t understand or ultimately agree with every piece of doctrine? Is there anything I can study to help me understand?

Thanks!

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

There is a big difference between acknowledging that one doesn’t understand and disagreeing. I don’t think anyone wants to disagree with God or His Church. To disagree is to insinuate that one is on equal footing with an adversary. To acknowledge that one doesn’t understand is to acknowledge an inadequacy in oneself in the face of another’s possible knowledge. It is an act of humility.

We see this in the man who told our Blessed Lord, “I believe. Help my disbelief (Mk. 9:24).” If this is your stance, then welcome to the Catholic Church! You will fit right in. In time the Lord will remove those scales from your eyes of faith.

If the other is your stance, don’t bother. You’ll be frustrated and un-happy.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.