Where do Protestants belong?

[lizaanne]

Can the RCC assimilate them all and still be Catholic?

Yes - because it is God’s wish that we all become one.

How does your parish handle all the catechesis?

Quite well, thank you!

~Liza

 

[ESMDHokie77]

… get on with the work of the church, which is, the exaltation
of Jesus Christ. Not the Pope, not Rome, not the Eucharist, not Mother Teresa, not the Blessed Virgin. Jesus.

Except… The Eucharist IS Christ. …dee The King of Kings where He is.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

In the Catholic Church.

~Liza

Agreed.

the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men. CCC 848

 

[Diana_Catherine]

Some of the recent responses seem to suggest that the RCC is no longer interested in bringing formerly “separated brethren” into the fullness of the Christian Faith. Indeed, some folks here think it unnecessary - and perhaps even undesirable - to accept converts who wish to become Catholic. Such remarks suggest to me that the RCC may NOT be such a good home of the convert described in the OP…

This question is very sad.

It doesn’t matter if any folks on this thread think it is undesirable or unnecessary to accept converts. The Catholic church teaches we are to be missionaries and do our best to bring all men into the fullness of truth found in the Catholic church. We are to lovingly accept all.

The Catholic Church is the safest place and the best home for everyone; prodigal, revert, convert and all faithful. Everyone.

I have never seen a convert being turned away. Every Easter the Catholic church brings in many new Catholics.

 

[Cavaradossi]

In recent decades, both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches have had the opportunity to catechize and ultimately accept converts from Protestant Christian communities.

In fact some recent converts have become very outspoken proponents of their new Churches. Catholic apologist-authors Jimmy Aiken and Scott Hahn come immediately to mind as do Peter Gillquist and Clark Carlton on the Orthodox side.

For the purpose of this discussion, lets assume that a Christian of Protestant formation is interested in converting to authentic, sacramental Christianity of Apostolic origin.

What are the pros & cons of both the RC and EO churches in the areas of indoctrinating new catechumens, assimilating them into the respective Churches, and retaining them over the long term? Is either Church better equipped (doctrinally or otherwise) to successfully accomplish this sort of conversion?

Interested in thoughts, opinions and personal experiences of converts, catechists, clergy, lay faithful, both RC & EO.

I think the Catholics have a major advantage in the amount of apologetic literature available to potential converts. I think too that the much of the Orthodox apologetic literature for protestants borrows too many arguments from Catholic apologetic literature which makes the Orthodox look like some sort of weird Catholics with no pope. There is a genuine response to be made to the Protestants from the Orthodox perspective, but borrowing arguments from the Catholics is not the right way to do it.

 

[Bix]

I have never seen a convert being turned away. Every Easter the Catholic church brings in many new Catholics.

I don’t think converts are being turned away, but … . Please everyone do not jump on me or saying this- it is a very difficult process in some areas. If you weren’t raised Catholic, a convert has no idea RCIA exists unless they do their own research. It’s not like walking into other churches as a new prospective member or convert. The way I found out- there was a tiny sign outside on the main road that read, " Are you interested in becoming Catholic?" with a phone number. It wasn’t much larger than a sign someone would put out for an estate or yard sale. People don’t really follow up with you after you call. Unless you enroll in RCIA no one really tries to reach out to you… I don’t believe many Catholics realize how overwhelming it can be to try and go, everyone knowing when and how to respond during mass and then feeling as if you’re sticking out to everyone as being new and clueless, but no one offering help or guidance. It’s just hard.

When I visited initially, I just felt so lost. Much of this is due to the difference in how Protestants view evangelization. Coming from a Protestant background it can seem impersonal at first. From my initial experience, Catholics don’t invite new people to go to church with them. Also, people just didn’t seem to put themselves out there and intoduce themselves to you…

It seems to me there should more done for outreach and help with visitors. When showing an interest in learning about the Church, all people don’t necessarily have time for RCIA or they may want to ask a few questions and learn how the service works before committing to a program or what if they’re interested in May?They’re just kinda left hanging until fall RCIA begins with no follow up.

I hope everyone understands this is meant to be constructive. I love my parish and the people who helped me! However, I would have converted years earlier if someone had only offered help.

 

[DarkLight]

Another point from at least an evangelical background is that Catholic theology is much more complicated. You’re running into a whole different system of interpretation and some doctrines that are quite strange to us. Frequently Catholics know what they’re supposed to believe, but not why or what role it plays in the faith. These are all questions that an inquirer is going to ask - not just what does the Catholic church believe, but why does it believe so and how is it justified. And the spirit in which the replies are given also can be a problem - in my experience people don’t always differentiate between questions and attacks.