Ex-Protestant at home in Byzantine Catholic Church

Catholic Anchor, Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Anchorage ^ | January 9, 2010 | PATRICIA COLL FREEMAN

[Titanites]

Sees Byzantine church a “perfect marriage” of Eastern traditions and unity with pope

By PATRICIA COLL FREEMAN

Catholicanchor.org

A former Lutheran pastor from Northern Michigan now heads St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church in Anchorage.

On Oct. 31, Father James Barrand, 52, succeeded just-retired pastor Father Mike Hornick at the little, dome-topped church, where an ancient Catholic liturgy is celebrated everyday. Father Barrand is quick to explain that he got to the icon and incense-filled church with the help of ancient guides — the Early Church Fathers — who chanted the same Divine Praises in the first centuries of the church as he does now.

FOLLOWING THE FATHERS

While a Protestant seminarian, Father Barrand had been fascinated by the Catholic Church.

“I had been exploring it all the way through seminary,” he told the Anchor.

Father James Barrand celebrates the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church in Anchorage on Dec. 30. At right, Father Barrand stands along side the screen of icons, in front of the sanctuary of the church. — Photo by Patricia Coll Freeman

His concentration was the study of the Fathers of the Church, the influential theologians and writers of the first centuries after Jesus Christ. They include St. Augustine, St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. John Chrysostom.

As with many Protestant denominations, Father Barrand explained, Lutherans think they must “restore” the church to “its pristine shape before the corruption – as they saw it – of the Middle Ages. So they very much encourage people to go back to the Fathers. So I did.”

But in examining the writings of those closest in time to Christ and his Apostles, Father Barrand discovered the church Christ founded was the Catholic Church, not the Protestant denominations.

During his inquiry, Father Barrand examined the Orthodox church, as well, but he had become “a firm believer that the pope was the God-appointed vicar (of Christ) on earth,” — a belief the Orthodox do not share with Catholics.

Eventually, Father Barrand was introduced to the Byzantine Catholic Church.

“It was just like a perfect marriage – because it was the spirituality and liturgical traditions of Orthodoxy, while yet being in full union with Rome.”

On his entrance into the Catholic Church, there were no guarantees of being ordained a priest. His bishop wanted faithfulness, Father Barrand recalled, not just a career switch for the Protestant minister.

“I just needed to decide if I wanted to be Catholic. And I did.”

After entering the church, Father Barrand was later permitted to study for the priesthood. And on April 26, 1989, he was ordained a Catholic priest for the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys, California.

POWERFUL PRAYERS

Father James Barrand at right

In the Byzantine tradition, most of the liturgy is chanted, without musical instrumentation and led by a cantor. Before the priest announces the Gospel, he leads a procession with the altar servers through the church, holding aloft a gilded, ornamented book of the Gospels, and at several points in the liturgy, the priest incenses the altar and people.

But it is “more than just smells and bells,” Father Barrand explained. “There is that,” he said, but also a powerful tradition.

The liturgy’s prayers are ancient. The modifications made by the fourth century Church Father St. John Chrysostom are still in use.

“It’s amazing how relevant they still are,” commented Father Barrand. “They’ve stood the test of time, Muslim invasions, Communism, all of this sort of stuff.”

“We’ve been praying the same prayers over and over again, maybe slightly different translations, slightly different context at times,” he noted, “but they’ve proven themselves, just like Scripture, to really convey God to us.”

BYZANTINE CATHOLICS

The Byzantine Catholic Church is one of several churches within the universal Catholic Church in which the Mass and the sacraments are celebrated in the context of a particular culture.

The Latin rite — which most U.S. Catholics are familiar with — blossomed in the Western church — in Rome, where the great Saints Peter and Paul were martyred. The Byzantine rite arose in the East — in Constantinople, which is now Istanbul, Turkey. After Emperor Constantine built a capital there in 325, the city became the center for Catholics in the eastern parts of Roman Empire.

Today, many people with an Eastern heritage — even those not in union with Rome, like the Russian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox — still celebrate the Byzantine form of the Divine Liturgy or Mass.

“A lot of people, because of the domes, think we’re actually Russian Orthodox,” Father Barrand said of St. Nicholas of Myra Church.

But, like all Byzantine Catholics, St. Nicholas of Myra is in full union with Rome, he explained. The parish’s metropolitan or bishop is directly under the leadership of the pope.

BETWEEN EAST AND WEST

St. Nicholas of Myra is home to 109 parishioners with another 25 at its mission of Blessed Theodore Romzha in Wasilla.

Father Barrand said he hopes to maintain and expand the Byzantine Catholic presence as “an Eastern church … in full union with Rome.”

While those of Eastern heritage are culturally connected to the Byzantine rite, increasingly across recent years, other Catholics longing for ancient formalities have turned east, too.

According to Father Barrand, a “fair” number of Latin Catholics attend his church regularly, which can make for a delicate issue.

But Father Barrand believes there should be an affinity between the traditions. “We’re all part of one big church,” he acknowledged.

In fact, like his predecessor at St. Nicholas, Father Barrand is a bi-ritual priest, meaning he is permitted to celebrate the Eucharist and the sacraments in the Byzantine and Latin rites.

He believes the two — “when they’re celebrated well — are very, very close to each other.”

“We tend to be much more mystical and liturgical,” he said, “but I think there’s a lot of similarities in the deep devotion to the Eucharist and to the Holy Mother and the saints.”

“I think we need to maintain our distinctions,” he added, “but I’ve been always a firm believer that we need to be active participants in each other’s traditions and working together.”

So from St. Nicholas, Father Barrand aims to help the Byzantine flock continue their traditions and “help people see the beauty of our church.”

He added: “And the ones who decide that they would like to, the people who have no religious background or even Latin Catholics or others, if this is where the Lord is leading them, help them then to follow the traditions to their fullest.”

BLESSING FOR ALL

Meanwhile, Father Barrand believes the Byzantine tradition can be a blessing for all who witness the ancient worship.

“The Holy Spirit will speak to them of the great reverence and awe that we have for our Creator, for the Almighty, for the Holy Theotokos (Mother of God),” Father Barrand said.

In the Byzantine tradition, he noted, titles are often used in place of the names of God and Mary. It might seem “a little too old-fashioned, a little too hierarchical” to some, he said.

“But for us, it’s kind of like when you know your place a little bit, it helps you to realize how great his love is for us. If he’s the Lord and Master, if he’s the one who formed the whole world and keeps it going, and, yet, still loves and is concerned about my every need and desire and need for affirmation, then boy, that really does affirm how much he loves us and his Holy Mother loves us.”

That sort of tradition can give “meaning and strength” in times like these, he said, where one is “not so sure what’s going to happen tomorrow.”

[Titanites]

Here is an interesting story for your ping list.

[ikka]

But in examining the writings of those closest in time to Christ and his Apostles, Father Barrand discovered the church Christ founded was the Catholic Church, not the Protestant denominations.

During his inquiry, Father Barrand examined the Orthodox church, as well, but he had become “a firm believer that the pope was the God-appointed vicar (of Christ) on earth,” — a belief the Orthodox do not share with Catholics.

Of course this is either a simplification or else Father Barrand was poorly educated. Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church were one and the same until the split - which happened well after the Early Church Fathers were dead.

[Kandy]

Those Early Church Fathers continue to convert!!

[redhead]

He’s my new priest! We love him.

[vladimir998]

You wrote:

“Of course this is either a simplification or else Father Barrand was poorly educated.”

It’s probably neither.

“Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church were one and the same until the split - which happened well after the Early Church Fathers were dead.”

And Fr. Barrand did not say otherwise. He said that he concluded that “the pope was the God-appointed vicar (of Christ) on earth,” and that the Orthodox do not share [that belief] with Catholics. He’s right.

I think you’re being unfair to Fr. Barrand.

[vladimir998]

That’s great!

[Mmogamer]

The West greatly damaged and ravaged the Empire with the fourth crusade- it has been said it was the greatest ravaging
of a city in history. The booty carried off adorns many Catholic churches and places today. You may have heard about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_of_St_Mark these famous horse statues...they were stolen from Constantinople. The West, and I mean the Church and the countries wouldn’t come to the help of the eastern Empire, and almost paid the price with the Battle of Vienna. If they had lost that Europe would be Muslim now, as we all probably would be as well.

[vladimir998]

You wrote:

“The West greatly damaged and ravaged the Empire with the fourth crusade- it has been said it was the greatest ravaging
of a city in history.”

Nonsense. 1) It wasn’t the West. It was a relative handful of Western knights and soldiers. 2) The city still stood unlike most of Baghdad in 1258. 3) And the Byzatine Empire was already DONE. It was only a matter of time after 1071 (Manzikert).

“The booty carried off adorns many Catholic churches and places today. You may have heard about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_of_St_Mark these famous horse statues...they were stolen from Constantinople.”

Seen them first hand. Thank God they were stolen in the 13th century or else they would have been destroyed in the 15th.

“The West, and I mean the Church and the countries wouldn’t come to the help of the eastern Empire, and almost paid the price with the Battle of Vienna.”

Again, nonsense. Help was requested in the 11th century. It was given - and the Byzantine got greedy and arrogant. Help was requested in the 15th century - and it was given at great cost at Varna. Maybe the Greeks should have done a better job running their empire from the beginning.

“If they had lost that Europe would be Muslim now, as we all probably would be as well.”

Because of the West, Europe did not become Muslim in the 8th century. Because of the West, Europe did not become Muslim in the 11th century. Because of the West, Europe did not become Muslim in the 15th century. Because of the West, Europe did not become Muslim in the 16th century. Because of the West, Greece isn’t Muslim today.

I once saw a room full of Greek scholars ranting and raving at the crusade gone wrong in 1202/04 as if it were yesterday. I realized then that that’s what some cultures devolve to: dwell on the unchangeable past; relive lost battles; continuously wring their hands and cry over what could have been.

The Greeks lost. They began losing to the Muslims in the 7th or 8th century. They simply didn’t have what it took to win for the next 700 years. Apparently, God, Who could have made things different, chose not to do so. For some reason the Greeks rarely talk about that.

[Mmogamer]

Are you for real? Seriously? So you’re saying its perfectly alright that they raped, slaughtered, profaned the Hagia Sophia, and stole relics, icons gold church implements and everything else that wasn’t nailed down, and that ok by you?
The Byzantines kept the Persians, Turks and the Ottomans bottled up for centuries while getting nothing from Europe.
Yeah they were pretty battered by the 1400, considering its lineage directly from the Roman empire to the 15th century.
Yeah, Martel stopped the Muslims from coming through from Spain. But they let them get a foothold in Europe when they let Constantinople fall. And the Fourth Crusade was sanctioned by the Church as was the Latin kingdom they set up was it not? And as far as the help they sent, they pillaged through the provinces until they finally bribed them to leave. You must surely see that a strong Byzantium was better for Europe than a conquered Istanbul.

[Mmogamer]

Here’s wikipedia’s account of the Fourth crusade. Yeah.. sometimes Byzantium sucked. Sometimes they shone with glory.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Crusade

[vladimir998]

You wrote:

“Are you for real? Seriously? So you’re saying its perfectly alright that they raped, slaughtered, profaned the Hagia Sophia, and stole relics, icons gold church implements and everything else that wasn’t nailed down, and that ok by you?”

Nope. I’m just saying it ain’t the West that did it. And I think it’s a lot better for relics to be in the hands of Christians than Muslims who would have destroyed them - even if they were taken by theft. Better to be stolen and used by Christians, than to be destroyed by Muslims. Pope Innocent III condemned the actions of the crusaders:

“How, indeed, will the church of the Greeks, no matter how severely she is beset with afflictions and persecutions, return into ecclesiastical union and to a devotion for the Apostolic See, when she has seen in the Latins only an example of perdition and the works of darkness, so that she now, and with reason, detests the Latins more than dogs? As for those who were supposed to be seeking the ends of Jesus Christ, not their own ends, who made their swords, which they were supposed to use against the pagans, drip with Christian blood, they have spared neither religion, nor age, nor sex. They have committed incest, adultery, and fornication before the eyes of men. They have exposed both matrons and virgins, even those dedicated to God, to the sordid lusts of boys. Not satisfied with breaking open the imperial treasury and plundering the goods of princes and lesser men, they also laid their hands on the treasures of the churches and, what is more serious, on their very possessions. They have even ripped silver plates from the altars and have hacked them to pieces among themselves. They violated the holy places and have carried off crosses and relics.”

“The Byzantines kept the Persians, Turks and the Ottomans bottled up for centuries while getting nothing from Europe.”

1) The Persians were no threat to the West so what does it mean to be ‘bottled up’. 2) Turks? The Ottomans were Turks. The Seljuks were Turks. The Byzantines didn’t keep them bottled up. The Byzantines lost to them. The Turks spread across all of North Africa. How exactly is that bottling them up? The Byzantines didn’t keep the Ottomans ‘bottled up’ for even 150 years.

“Yeah they were pretty battered by the 1400, considering its lineage directly from the Roman empire to the 15th century.”

It was an old, tired empire well past its prime and on death’s door for 350 years.

“Yeah, Martel stopped the Muslims from coming through from Spain. But they let them get a foothold in Europe when they let Constantinople fall.”

They already had a foothold in Europe - Italy, Spain, Mediterranean islands.

“And the Fourth Crusade was sanctioned by the Church as was the Latin kingdom they set up was it not?”

No. The Fourth Crusade was not sanctioned to conquer Christian lands. The pope condemned the crusade for that. After the conquest of the old Byzantine empire, the pope decided to make the best of it. If it had worked, perhaps no Turkish conquest would ever have happened.

“And as far as the help they sent, they pillaged through the provinces until they finally bribed them to leave. You must surely see that a strong Byzantium was better for Europe than a conquered Istanbul.”

There was no strong Byzantium. If Byzantium was strong it would not only not have had to beg for help but it would have been so easily been done in by either crusaders or Muslims. Byzantium was weak. It was killed by Muslims in 1453. End of story.

[NYer]

But in examining the writings of those closest in time to Christ and his Apostles, Father Barrand discovered the church Christ founded was the Catholic Church, not the Protestant denominations.

The Church Fathers come through again and again.

[NYer]

Ping!

[lightman]

The Priest featured in this article began his ministerial service as a Lutheran (ELCA or LC-MS not specified); therefore worthy of a:

Lutheran Ping!

[redgolum]

Good points Vlad, but remember that Eastern theology left the Byzantines (or Eastern Romans) at a great disadvantage at first. Namely it was not viewed very Christian to be a soldier. There were may cleansing rites that were needed after going to war and shedding blood. Not to say that the East didn't have some great Generals and soldiers.

Also, by the time of the Crusades the Eastern Empire was so fragmented it was very dangerous to launch any major military campaign. Moving the Imperial armies to say, Acre, would leave a large vacuum in Constantinople, one that those looking for an opportunity would seize. That and with the Slavs, Germans, Turks, Khazars, and the occasional Norman wandering in and carving off bits and pieces, it is amazing things held together as long as they did.

[Salvation]

What a great story!

[Salvation]

And here's the list -- be amazed at some of the names of Catholic converts here!

Ex-Protestant at home in Byzantine Catholic Church {Father James Barrand]

In Iraq, soldier finds a new faith (Muslim converts to Catholic faith)

Why I Left Anglicanism [Fr. Longenecker]
EWTN - The Journey Home - Oct. 26, 2009 - David Twellman, former United Methodist
Senior Anglican bishop reveals he is ready to convert to Roman Catholicism, Rev John Hind
Book: "You Have Not Chosen Me, But I Have Chosen You..." (23 Surprised Converts)
Newt Gingrich on Catholicism and JPII

Mickey Rourke thanks God and Catholic faith for 'second chance'
Catholic convert and political commentator Robert Novak passes away
Why Newt Gingrich Converted to Catholicism
Reading Into the Church [Deal W. Hudson]

Gnarly: from abuse victim, to prostitute, to surfer, to minister [Mary Setterholm]
Cathedral rector’s priestly journey began with early conversion [ Fr. Bob Clements]
The Great Philosopher Who Became Catholic [Mortimer J. Adler]
The Greater Blessings [David Mills]
EWTN - Journey Home - June 22, 2009 at 8pm - Dr. Jay Budziszewski - former Episcopalian

Cardinal says Catholics humbled by Anglicans' decision to join church
Catholic convert from Oregon coast becomes a priest (former Evangelical)
EWTN - The Journey Home - June 15, 2009 - Marcus interviews a Muslim convert [Talat Strokirk]
(All Saints) Sisters Doing It For Themselves (Anglican House converting en masse)
Journey Home to the Catholic Church: I Have Jumped into the Tiber to Swim Across (UK minister, Fr. Jeffrey Steel )

EWTN - Journey Home - June 8, 2009 at 8pm - Fr. Jay Toborowsky, Jewish convert
EWTN - Monday 8pm - Journey Home - Jerry & Yolanda Cleffi (former Assembly of God)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich Opens Up on Catholic Conversion and Embracing 'Overt Christianity'
Mom’s Gift From Pope [Heidi Sierras]
The Journey Home - April 27 @ 8pm - Doug Grandon former Episcopal clergyman

EWTN - The Journey Home - April 20 - Msgr. Keith Barltrop, former Baptist
Journey Home - Monday April 6 - Kenneth Howell, Former Presbyterian minister Newt Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism
Gingrich Keeps Quiet on Catholic Conversion (received into Church over the past weekend)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich conversion details; plans release of JP2 documentary

“150,000 new or returning Catholics”
Catholic Church prepares for tens of thousands of U.S. converts
Gingrich to Become Catholic During Easter Season
Faith Journey Leads United Methodist from Pastorate to Catholic Priesthood
From Atheist to Catholic (‘Unshakable’ Rationalist Blogged Her Way Into the Church) [Jennifer Fulwiler]

Former Episcopal bishop discusses his new life as Catholic priest [Father Jeffrey N. Steenson]
The Newt Evangelization: Gingrich to become Catholic
Conservative Episcopal bishop resigned to become Roman Catholic priest (New Mexico) Rev. Jeffrey Steenson
Converted Muslim Tells Story Behind Papal Baptism
EWTN - The Journey Home - December 1 - Dr. Steven C. Smith (former Willow Creek)

Former Socialist senator who converted to Catholicism calls for end to abortion [Mercedes Aroz]
Young New Yorker leaves police force to become priest [Nicholas Fernandez]
Interesting Deathbed Converts
Hollywood screenwriter returns to Cleveland, turns life over to God [Joe Eszterhas]
A Journey in Prayer {Randy Hain} [Ecumenical]

ECUMENIC] Our Conversion Experience (SDA to Catholic) [Brandon and Tara Ogden]
An open letter to Mr. Stephen A. Baldwin, Actor, and “born again” Christian [ Victor R. Claveau, MJ "
Sick person who suffered accident recounts conversion after traveling to Lourdes [Ecumenical] [Antonio Escobedo Garcia]
Welcome Home! Anglo-Catholic Sisters on the Road to Rome [Ecumenical]
Former Anglican Bishop, Catholic Convert, Jeffrey Steenson on Anglocatholicism [Ecumenical]

Jeffrey Steenson: Why I Became Catholic [Address to Anglican Use Conference]
Tony Snow Dead at 53, A Tribute to a Catholic Journalist [Tony Snow - Catholic Convert]
A Sexual Revolution (One woman's journey from pro-choice atheist to pro-life Catholic) [Jennifer Fulwiler]
C of E bishop will defect to Rome
Assyrian bishop explains his journey into communion with the Catholic Church

Virginia Tech tragedy leads bereaved mother on journey back to faith [Marian Hammaren]
Journey Home - EWTN at 8pm - Dr. William Bales, former Presbyterian Minister [Ecumenical]
First the Protestants, Now the Cults: Will We (the Catholic Church) Be Ready? [Open]
Six Million African Muslims Convert to Christianity Each Year [OPEN]
EWTN - The Journey Home - May 19 - Tom Cabeen, former Jehovah's Witness [Ecumenic]

A TRIUMPH AND A TRAGEDY [James Akin]
Alex Jones: the evangelical who became a Catholic deacon
Mary and the Problem of Christian Unity [Kenneth J. Howell, Ph. D.}
How the Saints Helped Lead Me Home [Chris Findley]
Who is Mary of Nazareth? [Kenneth J. Howell, Ph. D.}

A story of conversion at the Lamb of God Shrine
EWTN - Journey Home - 4/7/08 - Rosalind Moss - Former Jew & Evangelical Christian
Our Lady’s Gentle Call to Peace [Joan Tussing]
Coming Out of Sodom (Reversion Experience of Once-Active Homosexual) [Eric Hess]
Our Journey Home [Larry and Joetta Lewis]

Book on Mary turns runaway youngster immersed in drugs and crime into a priest
Dr. Robert C. Koons (former Lutheran) - Journey Home - Monday 3/31 - Conversion Story
The Story of a Convert from Islam – Baptized by the Pope at St. Peter's [Magdi Cristiano Allam]
How Do We Know It’s the True Church? - Twelve Things to Look For [Fr. Dwight Longenecker]
"Have you not read?" The Authority behind Biblical Interpretation [Robert Sungenis]

New Catholics ‘ on fire’ for faith
New faith pulls Hot Springs family together (Baptists join Catholic Church at Easter Vigil) [Danny Morrison and family
SciFi Writer, John C. Wright, Enters Catholic Church at Easter Vigil (conversion story)[John C. Wright]
"What is Truth?" An Examination of Sola Scriptura [Dwight Longenecker’family]
LOGIC AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF PROTESTANTISM [Fr. Brian Harrison]
Pope baptizes prominent Italian Muslim [Magdi Allam]

My Journey of Faith [Marco Fallon]
My (Imminent) Reception into the Roman Catholic Church [Robert Koons]
Thousands in U.S. to Join (Catholic) Church - Many Feel They Have Found a Home
TURN ABOUT (Carl Olson, former Evangelical and Monday's guest on EWTN's Journey Home)
Former Southern Baptist Pastor Now a Traveling Crusader for the Catholic Church [Michael Cumbie]

All Roads Lead To Rome (A Southern Baptist's Journey into the Catholic Church)[John David Young]
Allen Hunt, Methodist Minister ...Journeys Home (Catholic, Re: Real Presence)/a>
The Challenges and Graces of Conversion [Chris Findley]
An Open Letter...from Bishop John Lipscomb [Another TEC Bishop Goes Papist]
Unlocking the Convert's Heart [Marcus Grodi]

His Open Arms Welcomed Me [ Paul Thigpen}
Why I'm Catholic (Sola Scriptura leads atheist to Catholic Church)
From Calvinist to Catholic (another powerful conversion story) Rodney Beason
Good-bye To All That (Another Episcopalian gets ready to swim the Tiber)
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church

Bishop Steenson’s Statement to the House [of Bishops: Episcopal (TEC) to Catholic]
Bp. Steenson's Letter to his clergy on his conversion to the Catholic Church
Bishop Steenson Will Become a Roman Catholic
Married man considers turn as Catholic priest
Pavarotti returns to the Catholic faith before dying

Searching For Authority (A Methodist minister finds himself surprised by Truth!)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part VI: The Biblical Reality (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part V: The Catholics and the Pope(Al Kresta)
The Hail Mary of a Protestant (A true story)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part IV: Crucifix and Altar(Al Kresta)

Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part III: Tradition and Church (Al Kresta)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part II: Doubts (Al Kresta)
Conversion Story - Rusty Tisdale (former Pentecostal)
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part I: Darkness(Al Kresta)
Conversion Story - Matt Enloe (former Baptist) [prepare to be amazed!]
THE ORTHODOX REVIVAL IN RUSSIA

Conversion Story - David Finkelstein (former Jew)
Conversion Story - John Weidner (former Evangelical)
12 Reasons I Joined the Catholic Church
Conversion Story - Tom Hunt
The Tide Is Turning Toward Catholicism: The Converts

John Calvin Made Me Catholic
Journey Home - May 21 - Neil Babcox (former Presbyterian) - A minister encounters Mary
Going Catholic - Six journeys to Rome
My (Imminent) Reception into the Roman Catholic Church
A Convert's Pilgrimage [Christopher Cuddy]

From Pastor to Parishioner: My Love for Christ Led Me Home (to the Catholic Church) [Drake McCalister]
Lutheran professor of philosophy prepares to enter Catholic Church
Patty Bonds (former Baptist and sister of Dr. James White) to appear on The Journey Home - May 7
Pastor and Flock Become Catholics
Why Converts Choose Catholicism

From Calvinist to Catholic
The journey back - Dr. Beckwith explains his reasons for returning to the Catholic Church
Famous Homosexual Italian Author Returned to the Church Before Dying of AIDS
Dr. Francis Beckwith Returns To Full Communion With The Church
laetare (commentary on ordination of married Anglican convert to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles) Father Bill Lowe
Catholic Converts - Stephen K. Ray (former Evangelical)

Catholic Converts - Malcolm Muggeridge
Catholic Converts - Richard John Neuhaus
Catholic Converts - Avery Cardinal Dulles
Catholic Converts - Israel (Eugenio) Zolli - Chief Rabbi of Rome
Catholic Converts - Robert H. Bork , American Jurist (Catholic Caucus)

Catholic Converts - Marcus Grodi
He Was an Evangelical Christian Until He Read Aquinas [Rob Evans]
The Scott Hahn Conversion Story
FORMER PENTECOSTAL RELATES MIRACLE THAT OCCURRED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
Interview with Roy Schoeman - A Jewish Convert
Church Is Still Attracting Converts [Jim Anderson]

[narses]

+

Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:

Add me / Remove me

Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of general interest.