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A much longer, but very comprehensive, testimony here:

TESTIMONY OF RICHARD BENNET (EX-CATHOLIC PRIEST)

50 Years in the 'Church' of Rome (testimony of ex R.C. priest Charles Chinquay - 1886)

Please understand that there are literally MILLIONS of Catholics "dumping Rome" and it is simply impossible to post all their testimonies. These "choice" few testimonies should more than amply illustrate WHY they and millions like them are choosing to dump Rome.

I've seen the above testimony in various manifestations time and time again, but they all fundamentally share a predeominant underpinning: a spritual hunger predicated on a feeling "this can't be it." Often these are lifelong Catholics who become disillusioned, for various reasons, with empty man-made formulaic ritual and vain repetitious prayer, and vacuous pomp-and-circumstance accouterments of the Church. Usually those who actually spend time in the Book looking for answers invariably come to the same conclusion.

The predominant issues at the forefront usually pertain to subjects such as the primacy of Peter, papal infallibility, the priesthood, infant baptism, confession, the mass, purgatory, the immaculate conception of Mary, and the bodily assumption of Mary into heaven. Over time many come to the realization that not only are these beliefs not in the Bible, they are actually contrary to the clear teaching of the Scripture. Finally the barrier against having personal convictions is broken and all doubt in their minds about the Biblical view on these subjects is erased.

The consequences of this realization are usually quite severe. Not just a mrere superficial RCC ex-communication, but a very real social ex-communication from their family. Most Catholics are Catholic because their parents were, their grandparents were, all their aunts, uncles, neices, nephews are Catholic. This is no small trifeling matter. Many that come to a Scriptural understanding about the doctrine of salvation remain in the Church despite the error riddled dogma proclaimed from Rome. They remain in the Church out of loyalty to their family. They may stay within the Church for years. They may even, as I have come to know, lead catechism classes.

But ultimately, the thing that severes the chord of binding is a decision to the raging questoin (and nagging guilt)to the question: Who was to be Lord of their life, i.e., either Jesus Christ in His Word or the Roman Catholic Church? That the Catholic Church was supreme in all matters of faith and morals is something that usually has been dyed into Catholics brains since they were children.

But succinctly put, it boils down to this:

Realization that God's Word in the Bible is absolute and without error (contrary to what had been taught that the Word is relative and that its truthfulness in many areas was to be questioned). Once the Catholic realizes that they can began to understand that the Bible could, in fact, be trusted, through the aid of reference works such as Strong's Concordance, A.T. Robertson's Word Studies, et ali, they begin to actually STUDY the Bible in order to see what it says about itself. They realize that the Bible teaches clearly that it is from God and is absolute in what it says. It is true in its history, in the promises God has made, in its prophecies, in the moral commands it gives, and in how to live the Christian life. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:16-17).

If, then, Scripture is OF God, and God absolutely needs to be obeyed, then they can no longer "fellowship" in the RCC.

Evengelicals are not called to convice people of doctrinal error, but to share the Truth. The convincing part is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Catholics become "born-again" not overnight, but after a prolonged period of struggle, anguish and mental torment. And for many if not all, the ultimate decision is a very heartwrenching one indeed. Catholics who leave the Church do so because of the Truth, those who remain in it do so despite the truth. The Book says "seek and ye shall find, ask and it will be answered, knock and the door shall be opened."

These are not dogmatic, intellectual or pedantic excercises that the Catholic engages in, but a deeply rooted spiritual one. If one approaches the matter by asking for guidance and illumination by the Holy Spirit, the revelation WILL come. And when it does come, then a most blessed sense of relief is bestowed when all doubt and uncertainty is removed. I've heard tell so many times I can't count them, that when the final realization manifests itself, the sense of an immense burden and weight being removed from the shoulders conveys such a sense of wonderment and joy that almost everybody who describes the experience, with the virtual exclusion of nobody, becomes very emotional (and for some depending on how devout they used to be - VERY much so).