The Reformation is still alive; ugh

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Michael16

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Tonight, I filled out my annulment petition form. My parents, practicing Lutherans; were pissed that the Church considered me Catholic because of my Baptism. Both my parents and sets of grandparents are/were practicing Lutherans. My mother told me that my grandparents would roll in their graves, knowing that I’m Catholic; and my father told me that he didn’t raise his kids to be Catholic. My father also told me not to bring any priests to their house.
It makes me mad what Luther did to the Church. I’m not mad at my parents; I’m mad at Luther and his Reformation putting a rift between me and my parents. Aside from one of my great uncles; I’m the only Catholic in a Lutheran family. Do any others have stories like this?
 
Michael16 said:
Tonight, I filled out my annulment petition form. My parents, practicing Lutherans; were pissed that the Church considered me Catholic because of my Baptism. Both my parents and sets of grandparents are/were practicing Lutherans. My mother told me that my grandparents would roll in their graves, knowing that I’m Catholic; and my father told me that he didn’t raise his kids to be Catholic. My father also told me not to bring any priests to their house.
It makes me mad what Luther did to the Church. I’m not mad at my parents; I’m mad at Luther and his Reformation putting a rift between me and my parents. Aside from one of my great uncles; I’m the only Catholic in a Lutheran family. Do any others have stories like this?
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Honestly, your parents have a right to be peeved off. They didn’t raise you to be Catholic. They didn’t baptize you a Catholic. I’m sure they feel very insulted and attacked. And it’s perfectly reasonable they don’t want a minister of another faith in their home.

You need to give them some time and space. This is not “Luther’s fault” he’s not putting a rift between you and your parents. It could easily be any of a million things. Luther sinned. Your ancestors chose to follow someone into sin. If it wasn’t Luther it would have been someone or something else. People who are looking for an easy out (which is what Lutheranism basically is) would be looking for an easy out no matter who popped up on the scene.

You might also do well not to share such things with them.

Faith is a gift we hand our children. It’s hard not to take it personally when children reject it.

Live your faith, but be as careful as you can to respect the faith of your parents and ancestors.
 
How exactly is it not Luther’s fault? It may not directly be his fault, but it IS his fault.
 
adamhovey1988 said:
How exactly is it not Luther’s fault? It may not directly be his fault, but it IS his fault.
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It’s the fault of whoever chose to follow Luther’s lies. My point is that that family member chose a lie over God. Luther’s lie was simply the most convenient thing to grasp on to. As far as I am aware there were no forced Lutheran conversions or misunderstanding as there were for the Anglicans. (Many Englishmen did not realize they were no longer with the Church until much time had passed).

Luther did contribute to this mess, but he is not to “blame” per se because he didn’t force anyone to become a Lutheran.

It’s simply lazy to blame Luther. Yes, he separated and started the religion that caused this rift–but I mean you have Mormonism and a bazillion other religions. It took someone who CHOSE to move over to Lutheranism from Catholicism. That person comitted a sin, yes Luter helped, but in the end, someone chose his sin over the Church. Heresy is nothing new…and people have been tempted away from the Church by heretical ideas for ions.
 
Well, I think Luther meant well in the beginning, but yes; did offer a tempting path into sin. Even before I was Catholic, I disagreed with Luther. But then again; I think I was Catholic by instinct, considering what I held in my heart to be true. It pains me that Luther split the Church in a way no other heresy has ever done, and God willing; will never do again. I think it is Luther’s fault that the Reformation exploded. True, there was a lot brewing by 1517; but no one can doubt that he gave it a direction and a literary genius to carry it to frightening degrees. Sometimes I wonder if I should say a Rosary for Luther’s soul. Lol
 
Michael16 said:
Sometimes I wonder if I should say a Rosary for Luther’s soul.
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You should. If he is still in need of prayers, it would be a spiritual work of mercy for him. We would rather he be in Heaven praying for us than in Hell cursing us. One more thing: If you feel so deeply wronged by Martin Luther, praying for him would also do you a lot of good.
 
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My mother, when she was in her twenties, converted from Baptist to Catholic. Then later, she married a Catholic man. She told me that it created a bit of tension between her and her father, but he didn’t disown her or anything like that. When I was a child, we visited him occasionally and he was cordial enough. He even let my father say the blessing before dinner.
 
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Well, here’s a little update: after watching some TV, letting the dust settle; my parents and I agreed to disagree and that I respect their opinions and we love each other despite our disagreements. I do love and respect my parents and they me; even though they don’t like Catholicism.
 
I’m happy that you and your parents have reached an understanding. Sometimes it’s hard on parents when their kid chooses a religion different from their own.

I don’t know what religion my grandpa on my Dad’s side was, if any (grandma was apparently a Baptist and/or a Methodist as my father was sent to Sunday school both places I think). He didn’t like Catholics and joined the Klan to oppose them. He died before his only surviving son, my dad, met my mother and decided to convert in order to marry her.
 
Thanks, Tis. I sometimes have to walk carefully around my parents; especially when I’m answering my sons’ questions about God. But, my Dad did tell me that he’s glad that I found my rest in the Church. Even if they hoped I’d stay Lutheran.
 
Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

My story is a bit different from yours but still…I’m the only Catholic in my family too. My parents and brother were baptized in the Catholic Church but are not interested in the faith anymore, they always make fun of me or criticize me for my beliefs.They tell me I am a bigot just because I simply follow my religion or because I pray everyday and not just when I need something, or read Bible.Truth is that even if they were baptized in the CC they really don’t know anything about it. They didn’t even read a single page of the Bible. It’s very sad and frustrating but you know what, it is worth it. As long as I have God I have everything.
 
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Amen. It’s a little hard for me to be Catholic around my parents; but they try. I can tell.
 
No offense intended, but I find it typical in converts to be harsh against non-Catholic Christians. Look at the title of your thread. What does the Reformation (and your personal distaste for it) have to do with a very personal issue you and your family are facing?

I suggest you read the biography of St Elizabeth Ann Seton. There you will see what true discrimination looks like, and how a good Catholic convert responded to it.

Remember: he who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not worthy of the Kingdom. You made your choice to be Catholic; carry on!
 
True, it doesn’t do me any good. But, that’s what I felt at the time.
 
I was raised Lutheran and became Catholic; I don’t hand a similar story to you as my parents were supportive even though they maintain their Protestant faith.

There are far more similarities between Catholics and Lutherans than differences and many of the differences are extremely nuanced. Your parents may be choosing to focus on the differences but you have the option to focus on the similarities and, perhaps, bridge the divide between you. That is a loving act of evangelism. I mean, really, transubstantiation vs consubstantiation - how many Lutherans (or Catholics) can really articulate the difference? You both believe a miracle occurs, let that be enough.
 
So what is the reason you bring the annulment petition issue up on this matter?
 
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