Newt Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | April 5, 2009 | Jim Galloway

[Alex Murphy]

Congressional Quarterly has posted a transcript of “Fox News Sunday,” including this exchange between Chris Wallace and Newt Gingrich about the former House speaker’s conversion to Catholicism:

WALLACE: Mr. Gingrich, you have been a Baptist most of your life, and last Sunday you converted to Catholicism. Why, sir?

GINGRICH: I’m not talking about this much publicly, but let me just say that I found over the course of the last decade, attending the basilica, meeting with Monsignor Rossi, reading the literature, that there was a peace in my soul and a sense of well being in the Catholic Church, and I found the mass of conversion last Sunday one of the most powerful moments of my life.

WALLACE: You have — it’s no secret — been married and divorced twice. Will you be able to participate fully in communion and all the other rites of the Catholic Church?

GINGRICH: Yes, we have done everything within the law of the church, following all of the rules of the church over the last 10 years. And it’s been a process. It’s been a very long process and something which was deeply affected, in part, by Pope Benedict XVI’s visit and the opportunity I had to sit in — as you know, my wife, Calista, sings at the basilica every Sunday, and I was allowed as a spouse to be there as part of the vespers program when the pope came. It’s been a long process.

WALLACE: And if I might ask, just briefly, what is it about the pope’s visit that led to this?

GINGRICH: I really believe, first of all, seeing the joy in his eyes, listening to his message, and I really believe that his basic statement, Christ our hope, is right. And I think much of what’s wrong with our country and with the western world is a function of looking inside ourselves, not just looking at money or looking at our wallets.

[Ann Archy]

AMEN!!!

[the invisib1e hand]

It really does not matter which church you belong to as long as you believe.

Thanks for that. Did you hear Satan say that directly, or did you get it third-party?

[Marysecretary]

Nooo, the Body of Christ.

[Marysecretary]

It depends on the version you read, verga. I have read in the Bible the term ye must be born again.

[Marysecretary]

I’m not telling you anything Ann. You are misconstruing and getting wayyyy too upset. I am saying that God knows what’s in your heart. If you have a problem with that, then it’s your problem, not mine.

[Marysecretary]

And Catholics always say WE are the ones who are hateful?

[Ann Archy]

OUT VIPERS BROOD!

[Marysecretary]

And Catholics call US hateful? Chill out, Annie.

[Ann Archy]

Hey...you show me ONE thread where Catholics call you and yours hateful......waiting.....waiting....waiting.....you are a sad or jealous person, Mary....I am to pray for people like you.....just as Jesus.

[Petronski]

...the Body of Christ.

Correct! The Catholic Church.

[verga]

It depends on the version you read, verga. I have read in the Bible the term ye must be born again.

You need to read the original Greek.

Everything else is just a corrupt translation

[Ann Archy]

waiting..........

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you for the ping, Salvation. I saw this interview yesterday and said a prayer of thanksgiving at Mass for Newt’s conversion. His answers shine with simplicity and clarity. I am happy for him.

[La Enchiladita]

Must have been a Baptist like Bubba. No truly born-again Christian could become a Catholic.

I assume he was a baptized Baptist. Bubba was not??

When one is baptized "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost," one is born again in Christ, whether it was done in the Baptist church, Methodist, Catholic, or the Jordan River. The Catholic church recognizes such Protestant baptism, for those who wish to convert, to join the Catholic church.

Now, if the Catholic church can recognize the validity of your baptism, why can't you return the same respect?

[Ann Archy]

THANK YOU!!

[La Enchiladita]

;^)

[La Enchiladita]

I really believe that his basic statement, Christ our hope, is right.

Now, there is hope I can believe in!! Hosanna in the highest!!

[Marysecretary]

Got any suggestions as to which version I should check out?

[Marysecretary]

I’m neither sad nor jealous. I’ve seen plenty of threads over the past few months where Catholics think we are hateful because we challenge your beliefs. Check them out for yourself. They’re there.

I appreciate your prayers, always. Blessings, Mary

[Ann Archy]

Knew you couldn't show me one.

We are ALL Christians if we believe in Jesus as our Savior.....but the Catholic Church was the DIRECT result of Jesus, and all other Churches are Breakaways.