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Becoming Catholic
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| 03-28-19
| Msgr. Charles Pope
Posted on 03/30/2019 8:12:59 AM PDT by Salvation
Becoming Catholic
Question: I had reason to hope my niece was going to convert to the Catholic faith. But there were so many obstacles the Church set up that discouraged her. She was asked to go to classes, and they told her that her marriage was not valid and she would need an annulment. Further, it was necessary to wait until Easter, etc. The nearby evangelical church set up no such obstacles, and she was able to join at once and be considered a member. I hear so much talk of evangelization today, but I share my niece’s frustration. Can we not streamline this process?
— Name withheld
Answer: There is a kind of appealing simplicity that you describe in many Protestant denominations. But there are problems with the approach that should give us pause. Ultimately evangelization is more about conversion than mere membership. We are summoned to embrace the saving teaching of the Lord and to walk according to it.
Because adults make informed decisions, the Church considers it important to teach them the fundamentals of the Faith so that they can know what it is they are agreeing to when they enter the Church. Although some of the Scriptures portray an almost instant, on-the-spot baptism, the consensus in the early Church shifted to a lengthy, three-year period of instruction (called the catechumenate) prior to baptism. This likely was because of the insight that quick conversions often led to quick departures or a falling away when the true demands of discipleship became known.
Instructions are most insisted upon for those who are unbaptized. In the case of those who are baptized and come from different Protestant denominations, the length and content of instructions will depend on their background. It is up to the discretion of the pastor who discerns with each individual what is needed. It is certainly not required for those already baptized to “wait until next Easter.”
The concerns about a person’s marital status are rooted in the very words and teachings of Jesus himself. He teaches without ambiguity that for a person to marry, then divorce and enter another marriage, puts them in an ongoing state of adultery in the “new” marriage (cf. Mt 5:32; Mt 19:1-9; Mk 10:11-12; Lk 16:18, etc). He adds rather firmly, “What God has joined together, let no one divide” (Mt 19:9).
It will be further noted that when the Lord was evangelizing the woman at the well, he brought her to a moment of conversion, and she asked for the gift of faith. But the Lord Jesus saw fit to first raise with her the fact that she had been married five times and was now living with a man outside of marriage. Her conversion would not be complete or adequate until she was willing to live chastely. Then the graces could flow.
For reasons of their own, many Protestant denominations have decided to practically overlook such passages. But the Catholic Church takes the Lord’s teaching on these matters rather seriously, as he clearly intended that we should. In some cases, after an investigation based on evidence, the Church may use its power to bind and loose, to indicate that the previous marriage was not “what God has joined,” and it recognizes the first marriage as null. A person’s current marriage then can be blessed and recognized. But we simply cannot set the Lord’s words aside as if they were of little importance.
Thus some conversions to the Catholic faith will take some time to be faithful to the teachings of the Lord and the nature of true conversion. It is worth the diligence required.
TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: bornagain; catholic; protestant
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To: Songcraft
You’ll evidently come back to nibble at a hook that is bare.
#573
841
posted on
04/05/2019 4:07:15 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
Thanks for giving me the heads up warning, for if/when I reach that lofty age plateau!) At the intensity that you are going; I'd lean more to the IF.
842
posted on
04/05/2019 4:08:36 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
Quite frankly, he really didn't give a flying foo-foo what they thought about anything he said, because he felt they were already a hopelessly lost cause, with their weird, crazy, and harmful ideas. Rather, he was trying to convince the other observers of the debates (the voters). Here (on a much smaller scale), we are also trying to convince the other observers (the other posters and lurkers who might be reading the thread).
Love your MO; and the use of the imperial 'we'; too!
843
posted on
04/05/2019 4:10:03 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Luircin
So you agree that faith is assurance of salvation and that were saved by grace through faith and not saved by works?
Its what Scripture says after all.
I agree with all the Messiah and His Apostles wrote, and not what heretics teach.
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
...
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Hebrews, Catholic chapter six, Protestant verses one to eleven,
Hebrews, Catholic chapter ten, Protestant verses twenty two to twenty seven,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James
844
posted on
04/05/2019 4:13:46 AM PDT
by
af_vet_1981
(The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began)
To: Songcraft
Aside from them, there is a small group of hard-hearted, stubborn posters here, with an insane hatred of the Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ, who think they know everything, and, ultimately, that problem is between them and God.Likewise...
There is a small group of hard-headed, stubborn posters here, with an insane hatred of Luther; the fella that shined a light on a 'church' practicing profound error; who think they know everything, and, ultimately, that problem is between them and God.
I wasn't trying to convince you of anything, and I wasn't in the least angry.
Your use of
Large text
and your use of a lot of pictures makes me think that you are really excited about something.
845
posted on
04/05/2019 4:16:42 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
Dead means dead.Except when Rome claims it don't.
846
posted on
04/05/2019 4:17:45 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
I wasn't doing any "childish name calling",I'm glad you realize that is below your sense of fairplay.
847
posted on
04/05/2019 4:19:52 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
By the way, did you appoint yourself to be in charge of telling other FReepers what to post, and what not to post? This is SURELY mot me!
I want you to post long, continually and often.
848
posted on
04/05/2019 4:20:56 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
(Did you take that inspirational thought with you when you got down on your knees to pray to God, or did you tuck that one away somewhere, and try to hide it from Him?) The way it's written: Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:4
The way certain people practice it: ...unless it's April Fools Day and then you can make mocking comments as freely as you want.
849
posted on
04/05/2019 4:24:39 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
Do you know what the word "hyperbole" means, metmom? Jesus used it quite often, to make His points, and it was a very common way to make points by everyone in the Jewish world at the time.Except; of COURSE; when He said, "...this is my body...".
Now THAT was definitely NOT anything but the plain; unadulterated, raw TRUTH!
--Rome
Kinda like when He was conversing with them snake people.
850
posted on
04/05/2019 4:33:01 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
John 6:25-40
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, Rabbi, when did you get here?
26 Jesus answered, Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.
28 Then they asked him, What must we do to do the works God requires?
29 Jesus answered, The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.
30 So they asked him, What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Jesus said to them, Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
34 Sir, they said, always give us this bread.
35 Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Fathers will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
851
posted on
04/05/2019 4:37:56 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
Too bad the world had to wait until MORE information about being saved was given: like praying the rosary, holy water, praying to dead people, avoiding a LONG stay in Purgatory... etc.
Thanks; Mary!
852
posted on
04/05/2019 4:40:59 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: af_vet_1981; Luircin
Then WHY do you keep posting obey verses ...
The scriptures are replete with them and they are profitable to all, without charge.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
1 John 3:21-23
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
853
posted on
04/05/2019 4:43:43 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: af_vet_1981
HMMMmmm
What does ROME require of you?
854
posted on
04/05/2019 4:44:16 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
How many guys did Jesus choose?...and one of them was a devil.
855
posted on
04/05/2019 4:45:16 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
...do you simply choose to conveniently use a completely different standard when dealing with that minute number of those very few Christians documented in the New Testament? Do YOU agree with the teachings of THESE guys; or TODAY's Rome??
Just WHO are these guys??
Ambrosiaster
Augustine
Basil of Seleucia
Bede
Cassiodorus
Chrysostom (John)
Cyril of Alexandria
Origen
Hilary of Potier
This is what Augustine argued when he wrote...
"What more shall I teach you than what we read in the apostle?
For Holy Scripture fixes the rule for our doctrine, lest we dare to be wiser than we ought.
Therefore I should not teach you anything else except to expound to you the words of the Teacher. (De bono viduitatis)"
856
posted on
04/05/2019 4:56:12 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
Sola Scriptura and the Church Fathers Question: You strongly hold to the principle of Sola Scriptura. This teaching is relatively new, it cannot be found anywhere in the history of Christendom until the Protestant reformation in the 16th Century. I would deeply appreciate if you could show me why you would believe such an erroneous teaching. Answer: The principle of Sola Scriptura - the Holy Scripture is the only infallible rule of faith for the church - is neither new nor erroneous. On the contrary, the Church Fathers testify that they too upheld the Scriptures as the sufficient and authoritative font of divine revelation. |
857
posted on
04/05/2019 4:58:39 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: aMorePerfectUnion
It could be any of the following; I suppose...
15. Fit the facts to alternate conclusions. This requires creative thinking unless the crime was planned with contingency conclusions in place.
17. Change the subject. Usually in connection with one of the other ploys listed here, find a way to side-track the discussion with abrasive or controversial comments in hopes of turning attention to a new, more manageable topic. This works especially well with companions who can 'argue' with you over the new topic and polarize the discussion arena in order to avoid discussing more key issues.
20. False evidence. Whenever possible, introduce new facts or clues designed and manufactured to conflict with opponent presentations -- as useful tools to neutralize sensitive issues or impede resolution. This works best when the crime was designed with contingencies for the purpose, and the facts cannot be easily separated from the fabrications.
Of course; with so much of THIS going on; it's hard to tell at times!
18. Emotionalize, Antagonize, and Goad Opponents. If you can't do anything else, chide and taunt your opponents and draw them into emotional responses which will tend to make them look foolish and overly motivated, and generally render their material somewhat less coherent. Not only will you avoid discussing the issues in the first instance, but even if their emotional response addresses the issue, you can further avoid the issues by then focusing on how 'sensitive they are to criticism.'
858
posted on
04/05/2019 5:04:06 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: aMorePerfectUnion
One of three people who were raised Catholic no longer identifies as Catholic.I wonder what the ratio is in Mormonism??
859
posted on
04/05/2019 5:05:04 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
To: Songcraft
My point is, counts mean absolutely nothing. I posted just 12 people for a reason.
You've managed to make me even MORE befuddled!!
860
posted on
04/05/2019 5:06:23 AM PDT
by
Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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