[IYAAYAS]

Thanks for the post.

I've been thinking of becoming a catholic again.

It's been many years since I've voluntarily entered a catholic church. Been to hundreds of protestant church services, but it never seems quite right to me, sort of like a watery lite beer (don't flame <just my opinion). Are there any other lapsed catholics who have returned to the church? Is there a "procedure"? Will my devil worshiping/witchcraft teenage years get me excommunicated should I confess this (seriously)? How does one confess 20+ years of sin, is there a blanket amnesty clause?

[Betis70]

I think you can go back. That is the purpose of Penance, to ask forgiveness, to wholeheartedly ask.

We all make mistakes, get taken down the wrong path at times. I think if anything, they would welcome you with open arms BECAUSE you did that in the past.

Find a good parish and Pastor. Talk with him about your feelings of coming back. Go to Penance face-to-face with him. If you are baptised you are always welcome back (AFAIK). If you have not been confirmed, he might ask you to go through that process.

[visualops]

You might want to check these two threads by my husband. I am a Catholic returning to the Church, and he is converting. We each have first marriages to annul, and he too is/was concerned on the issue of sins and confession.
The best advice is to talk to the Deacon and/or Priest at your chosen parish, they can answer your questions.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1090525/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1113732/posts

[dixie sass]

Not being Catholic, I don't know. I would be willing to say that all you have to do is go to nearest church and enter the confessional and the Father will tell the Priest what to tell you.

We are all his children, no matter where we worship HIM, the greatest church is the one that HE created for us, all you have to do is walk outside to see it or even talk with HIM yourself.

HE will guide you to the right path.