Posted on 01/25/2014 9:39:25 PM PST by NKP_Vet
I am often asked when I chose to become Catholic. However, it is more truthful to say that over the course of several years I gradually became Catholic and then decided one day to accept the faith I had already come to embrace.
My wife, Callista, is a lifelong Catholic and has been a member of the choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., for 15 years. Although I was Southern Baptist, I had attended Mass with Callista every Sunday at the basilica to watch her sing with the choir.
I accompanied Callista to Rome in 2005, when the choir was invited to sing at St. Peter’s Basilica. While there, I had the opportunity to talk at length with Msgr. Walter Rossi, rector of the basilica in D.C., about faith, history and many of the cultural challenges, including secularism, facing our country. Our conversations were enlightening and intriguing.
During that trip, I experienced my first visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, and I recall marveling at being in the presence of the historic truth of the Church that day.
At the same time, I was being influenced by several books I was reading, including George Weigel’s The Cube and the Cathedral, about the crisis of secularism in Europe, and his book The Final Revolution, about the role of Christianity in freeing Eastern Europe from an atheistic dictatorship.
I was also moved by Pope Benedict’s reflection in his book Jesus of Nazareth that, “God is the issue: Is he real, reality itself, or isn’t he? Is he good, or do we have to invent the good ourselves?”
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
“Why is it that every time a catholic posts a conversion story, so many folks are ugly and critical?”
Now, now. This is NOT a plain “Man converts to Catholicism” story - personally I’m happy for people whenever they find a spiritual home, wherever it is.
Newt is a politician, first and foremost. It is at least appropriate to have a bit of cynicism. If he were to have converted and faded into the political obscurity that is his destiny anyway, it would be more believable.
Newt is using the Catholic church to try to resurrect a dead political future. His conversion is a shield he uses (and he did use it in the past presidential cycle) to defend himself against criticism of his prior marriages - a valid point of discussion for any politician with Presidential aspirations.
Newts political motives are there for all to see. The Catholic bureaucracy fell for it - and gave him what he needed politically. It doesn’t really matter why - Someone like Newt isn’t the story Catholics should be eager to roll out about why someone should become Catholic.
Surely there are better examples than his?
“If this man finds that the Catholic Church leads him closer to Christ, then what’s that to you?”
The Catholic Church led him closer to being a viable Presidential Candidate in 2012. This is another attempt to use the Catholic Church to insulate himself from deserved criticism of his personal choices while setting up a potential run in 2016.
There is nothing divine here. Yes, I am willing to go there, when it comes to politicians seeking the limelight.
What this post has done is bring the real liberals out of the closet.......and Catholic haters, to spout off about Newt’s conversion. A real conservative does not trash another conservative for something as personal as his faith. That is only the purview of liberals. And every “conservative” on on FR that keeps slamming a 2,000 year old religion, the very religion that was responsible for Western civilization, needs to be ashamed of themselves.
Is he currently an adulterer?
Was he one at the time he entered the Church?
I presume he’s gone to confession regarding past sins. He may even go regarding current sins, although you can’t really expect God to forgive you if you don’t have a firm intent not to do that sin any more.
The Church is a hospital for sinners. We’re the ones who need saving and healing, after all.
I know good Catholics who have had abortions. They repented, and their sin was forgiven and they now defend life.
Getting past wrongdoing and moving toward holiness with God’s grace is what it’s all about.
I’m glad Newt is in a place where he is obliged to examine his conscience.
Find a priest and sit down and get your questions answered. And remember that the entire Mass is center of the Word of God and Jesus!
"Whited sepulchres" comes to mind - Matthew 23:27.
Read the story of how he was so touched by the history of the Catholic Church. He is, after all, a great historian.
**They are ugly people.**
Yet they claim to be Christian......pray for them.
It’s been my impression that he is not interested in politics now.
History, yes, but not politics.
And this is the exact reason I am converting to Judaism. Too many Christians believe that they never have to say they are sorry to the humans they have wronged...and can keep their regrets a secret between them and G-d. It makes for a completely heartless and cold community full of forgotten victims.
Is he currently married to someone not the wife of a prior marriage, the first which is still living?
Was he one at the time he entered the Church?
Well, his current wife is admittedly a "life-long Catholic" and so there is some culpability there. Is SHE is good standing? Didn't she violate church teaching? Didn't Newt cause her to commit adultery?
The Church is a hospital for sinners. We’re the ones who need saving and healing, after all.
Ah, the all-popular, no-fault insurance policy cop-out license for sinning. I can expect someone to pull this out whenever this discussion is had.
I guess the several Pauline lists of sins that will bar the committor from entering the Kingdom has been now been rendered null and void, then?
I don’t see anyone here defending Bakker or Swaggert, so your point is lost on thinking people.
Then maybe you don't know Jesus. He displayed a LOT of anger. And he sinned not.
...oh and don't forget the Taliban who still use stoning...forget the club...they are such a joy for eternity as well.
G-d gives us rules to live by because he doesn't want us to get hurt and because he loves us...not for some fascist to use against his fellow man as a bludgeoning device.
First, who is this “G-d” you keep mentioning?
The one that deserves respect...not the one that you use as a control device.
So, it's like the Mob? You can never leave "The Family?" That's kind of scary.
“And this is the exact reason I am converting to Judaism.”
The failings of Christians is never a reason to leave Christ. The failings of Christians is always the reason to become more like Christ.
“Too many Christians believe that they never have to say they are sorry to the humans they have wronged...and can keep their regrets a secret between them and G-d.”
But is that a teaching of Christianity or a failure of Christians? Are Jews known for saying they’re sorry to the people they have wronged more than Christians are? I don’t think so - even though Yom Kippur exists.
“It makes for a completely heartless and cold community full of forgotten victims.”
Sounds like some Jewish families I know - and I am not being flippant.
I pray that you find what you hope for, that God gives you what you need, and that you have the wisdom to know the difference between the two should there be one.
I am praying for you.
Appreciated, if you are praying to God, not to Mary or the assorted “saints.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.