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christiancusack
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| Joined: | Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 1 |
| First Name: | Vaughn | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical, Non-Denominational, Baptist (Unaffiliated) |
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Posted: Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 08:45 pm |
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Hello All:
I am a Baptist Pastor who works with students (7th grade to college aged). I am almost 100 percent convinced that the Roman Catholic Church is the true church of Christ. Most of my intellectual questions have been answered. However, my conscience is still a bit uneasy, and there are lingering doubts, although I tend to think these are just emotional in nature.
I don't think I lack the courage to convert. Most of my close friends know the path I am on. My parents and family do, too. However, I have not made my position known to my fellow pastors or the congregation of our church.
My concerns stem from my sense of responsibility to the students I serve AND they also arise from some practical issues (i.e., getting a job! selling my house, etc...although in truth, I'm not too worried about this. Those are issues of faith)
Practically speaking, I don't see myself starting RCIA until August 2009, and then of course that would mean I would not be in full fellowship until Easter 2010.
Here's my question: if I am all-but-convinced, what is my level of culpability for not joining the Catholic Church right away, no matter what the consequences? Are my practical concerns legitimate? What would a good priest tell me if I said, "it's not a question of IF, it's a question of WHEN. And I think there needs to be a time table." Is that okay? Again, I don't feel as if I'm unwilling to accept the consequences of my conversion (i.e., estranged friendships, etc.). I just want my conscience to be absolutely clear, and I want to have done the best job possible in preparing the church and the students for my departure (including having a very lucid explanation of my decision for those who want it.)
Does any of this make any sense? 
Your feedback would be much appreciated. It would be great if I could talk with a priest, too.
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1322 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 08:59 pm |
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Vaughn, welcome to the CHNI forum!
Our forum apologist, Dave, and the two forum helpers, David and Rick, can offer you much valuable advice as they have shepherded many in your situation. Some of the communication you may choose to handle through private messages (PMs) on the forum.
There is no substitute for the counsel of a holy, orthodox priest in these matters of responsibility and timing. If you know a devout Catholic in your area, you could probably get good guidance in locating such a priest.
With your background you may be able to come into the Church through private instruction with a priest, rather than through the lengthy RCIA process.
As for the emotional adjustments of coming into the Church, regular forum members can offer significant support. Jim Anderson and the Coming Home Network are also ready to assist you when you are ready to approach them.
I will be praying for you, Vaughn.
God bless,
Becky
Last edited on Wed Jul 2nd, 2008 09:13 pm by Intercessor
____________________
"He who will persevere unto the end is not he who will never fall, but he who after every fall will humble himself and rise again, relying on the infinite strength of God." Divine Intimacy, p. 885 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2277 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jul 3rd, 2008 02:50 am |
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Hello Vaughn. Welcome to our humble abode. You ask:
If I am all-but-convinced, what is my level of culpability for not joining the Catholic Church right away, no matter what the consequences? Are my practical concerns legitimate? What would a good priest tell me if I said, "it's not a question of IF, it's a question of WHEN. And I think there needs to be a time table." Is that okay?
Your practical concerns are very much legitimate, and there is no reason why you can’t take some time getting your affairs settled. It’s a matter of prayerful prudence as to how much time is sufficient and how much is too much.
What you are asking is simply to be allowed to be a responsible Christian in preparing your own way, that of your family, and that of your flock before departing definitively. This is reasonable even if it takes a year, and in the meantime, you can work on changing that “almost convinced” to complete conviction and peace. God will be pleased to see the groundwork you have laid, and you may see others building on that foundation after you leave.
As Intercessor suggested, you may find that your previous learning and private investigation of the Catholic Church will allow you to enter the Church through a briefer private instruction. I have known people who were allowed to do that. Nevertheless, if your family is coming with you, you may prefer to stay with them in the RCIA process.
Finally, if you think you would benefit from further counseling, such as concerning your emotional recoiling and lingering doubts, we can handle this through the private message system. The easiest way to begin that procedure would be to click on the person’s user name on the left of the thread (in green) and select Send a Private Message. You enter a title and your message, send it, then click the CHNI logo on the top left of your screen to return to the forum lobby. To retrieve a private message, click on the “You have (so many) new messages” in the upper right of the screen.
I see a lot of good sense in you, Vaughn, a lot of spiritual health. There will be some hurdles to leap, of course (you mention several, so you know that already), but I think you will manage just fine.
David
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SBC2RCC
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 132 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Jul 3rd, 2008 11:23 pm |
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I only have a few minutes to reply now brother Baptist. I was until 2005, when at the age of 43 I made the swim across the Tiber. It's posted about in several places here.
Most of all, keep praying to the Holy Spirit, who Jesus said would lead us into all truth!
Gratefully Catholic Now,
Monte
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In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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MitchyMitch
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Snellville, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 98 |
| First Name: | Mitch | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Independent Baptist and Southern Baptist...Now Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Jul 4th, 2008 05:58 am |
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God bless you, cusack.
Former Baptist layman myself. Christian IFB (ARF) high school education, a whole semester at PCC before deciding that the Marine Corps was the best way to get away from people telling me what to do (not my brightest moment).
I fully understand and appreciate your predicament.
Listen to the folks here in the know. Take some time to visit a priest or five, and get their wisdom and input. Visit your local parish, and attend a mass whenever you can.
You mentioned family. Are you married? Kids?
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Pax,
Mitch
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Pani Rose
Member
| Joined: | Fri Oct 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Irondale, Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 601 |
| First Name: | Rose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Ruthenian Byzantine in a Melkite Greek Catholic Parish, raised ... |
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Posted: Fri Jul 4th, 2008 05:34 pm |
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Welcome 
Contact Fr. Grey Bean at St. Patricks here in Birmingham Al.
He too, was a Southern Baptist minister.
http://www.bhmdiocese.org/directory.asp?action=showbiz&bId=1091349
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