Posted on 05/23/2018 10:25:54 PM PDT by Cronos
Sherry Anne Weddell recalls the moment when she stepped “across the threshold” and entered a Catholic church for the first time. It was while she was studying at the University of Washington in Seattle and, coming from a Southern Baptist background, she was looking for a Protestant church in which to pray.
All those in her vicinity were closed, but Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church was open.
“I know it sounds incredible, but I didn’t know what that (the Blessed Sacrament) was, and if you had explained it to me I wouldn’t have believed you,” she said in a May 12 lecture to lay Catholics of the Diocese of Shrewsbury, England.
“It just wasn’t a possibility in my world, but I crossed the threshold and felt the Real Presence, and that’s when I became a Catholic,” Weddell said. “That was my point of entry. I still had a lot of anti-Catholic stuff in my head. God had established a bridge of trust. It was probably the only way he could have gotten my attention.
Weddell, who has now published three books on the Catholic Church, told the audience: “I started praying in Catholic churches because, even though I was going to Protestant churches and they were very lovely, I would say, ‘yes, but that thing isn’t here’, the Presence isn’t here.
“I would just go back and pray in Catholic churches. My friends said, ‘If you don’t stop doing that you are going to become Catholic,'” she said. “I thought, ‘That is the stupidest thing, no way.’
...Weddell has traveled a long way since then and is gaining international recognition as something of an authority on the “new evangelization,” the project of the Catholic Church to preach the Gospel anew, particularly in the once Christian nations of the West.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicphilly.com ...
Rather than thinking anyone who has "anti-Catholic stuff" in their heads automatically translates to "hatred", why isn't it simply that she disagreed with a lot of Catholic beliefs? I disagree with Catholicism on many doctrines but agree with them on many. Is my anti-Catholicism hatred of Catholics? Are Catholics anti-Protestant haters by disagreeing with Proestantism on issues?
I used to BE a Roman Catholic and left when I learned the truth of the gospel of grace. Over the years I have only grown stronger in my faith and belief that the truth was not found in Catholicism. I can believe that and defend myself without having hatred towards Catholics.
Yes, the key IS genuine. There are plenty of people who sit in churches and pretend to feel the presence of God there, but if He is not WITHIN their very souls, they will not find Him in a beautiful building. He said:
Do you think everyone always finds it just because they're looking?
Yep, I have been known to be a little presumptuous now and then. 😁👍
Well, the tone over the years hasn’t been exactly amiable, but I haven’t noticed the mutual contempt for some time — and I certainly don’t miss seeing it. I never quite understood the infighting given the common Gospel.
Would you mind sharing what precipitated your shift away from Catholicism?
Except it isn't a "common gospel". This is an Ecumenical thread and would violate the "rules" for me to go into why I think that (I'm not alone, either). I think you probably already know where we differ. Can the atmosphere be improved? Sure. I always hope for that but there are many who see any criticism of their beliefs as personal attacks and that is really the source of un-amiable or contemptuous responses.
Would you mind sharing what precipitated your shift away from Catholicism?
Are you just asking or do you really want to know? I can PM you my testimony if you are truly interested.
Read the Religion Forum guidelines re Ecumenical threads at my profile page.
If you can’t find the answer there, send me a FR mail with any questions.
I appreciate your reply.
The discord that I’ve observed typically stems from instigating hostility and less so the defense of one’s beliefs.
I have genuine interest in the factors that motivated your transition of devotion. I don’t mean to pry, nor subject your decisions to public scrutiny. So disregard my question.
FRegards.
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.