How many folks here have converted from various Lutheran synods to the Catholic faith? Why and what were some of the reasons.

-- susan (susanlatte@aol.com), October 28, 2003

Answers

Hi Susan. I am not a Lutheran but I am an Episcopalian which is close. I am curently enrolled in RCIA classes and plan on converting to the Catholic faith during Easter. I can give you my reasons but there are some websites with former Protestants giving their reasons. Try olrl.org, petersnet.net, catholic.com. You can also get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church which explains the doctrines of the Catholic Church complete with Scriptural references. For a long time Protestant I find the Catechism to be quite eye-opening and impressive. It is also impressive to understand the the Catholic Church was founded directly by Jesus and entrusted to the first Pope, Simon Peter. St Peter along with the other Apostles were responsible for the direction of the early church and passed Her teachings on to future popes. My church (Episcopal) broke away from the Catholic church in the 1500s over Henry the 8th seeking divorce and being denied by the papacy. All other protestant faiths developed from after the 1500s and some are even weeks old. All denominations are frought with their problems and mine is currently battling with Bishop Robinson the divorced and gay New Hampshire priest. His ordination will result in yet another new Protestant denomination. The Catholic Church does not change with the times. She is not a secular organization but is the Truth which is eternal.

-- David F (dqf@cox.net), October 28, 2003.

Well...I am of the ELCA within the Lutheran church. Having been born, raised in this church.

I am doing alot of research on why people convert from the Lutheran church to CAtholic.

My Grandmother was Catholic but left the church after a series of terrible Priests in her Parish.. I think that she lost complete faith in the church back in the 1930's. Beyond that I have had little or no exposure to the Catholic faith thru my immediate family.

I have many cousins that are Catholic and friends. Amazingly we all get along well.

I haven't deceided if converting to another faith is the best thing for me...but I am searching now.

-- susan (susanlatte@aol.com), October 28, 2003.

I recommend you attend RCIA. It is filled with many catholics interested in learning more about their faith as well as protestants who just want to know about the Catholic Church. There is absolutely no pressure to convert and I find that it would make me a much more knowledgable protestant even if I dont change faiths.

-- David F (dqf@cox.net), October 28, 2003.

Hi Susan, I was raised Lutheran (LCMS)and my background is that of a Lutheran. Even today, I lovingly refer to myself as a "Lutheran" Catholic. I'm sure I drive my "traditional Catholic" parishioners a little crazy with my ecumenical influences, however, I perfer to believe that I was put here to challenge them to explore their traditions a little more fully.

I love the Catholic Church. To me the Catholic Church is "real" church. When I go back and worshop with the rest of my Lutheran family, I feel as though I am in "Church lite." 99% of what we do is the same, but it's that extra 1% that I've found in the Catholic Church that makes the difference for me.

Many in the church would have you believe that the difference between the two faiths is as wide as heaven and hell. The Church doesn't preach that and I wouldn't ever go there. As far as I am concerned, the Spirit lives in the heart of all good people, whether they seek the truth in a Lutheran Church or a Catholic Church. I have to believe that my Lutheran "mom" is going to be waiting in heaven for me when I get there. Would I ever want to go back? I don't think so, I've found a good home, on a solid foundation right here in the Catholic Church and I don't need anything else.

As for the reason I joined . . . one of my best friends was Methodist, married to a Catholic. We spent more than a few pleasant evenings, Catholic bashing! All of a sudden out of the blue, he up and joined the Church and I witnessed in him and their marriage a transformation that was fundamental. I knew then, that someday I'd make the same journey. When I met my future wife and she happened to be Catholic, the pieces fell into place.

Peace

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), October 28, 2003.

If you are really interested in learning, I would repeat the suggestion of looking into the RCIA in your local parish. As the earlier post stated, you can participate without joining the church and it would, if nothing more, lead you to a much better understanding of what both the Lutheran church and the Catholic churches are all about.

I'm afraid to say that there is much misunderstanding about the two faiths in both camps. Both Lutherans about Catholics and Catholics about Lutherans.

Instead of competing with one another, we should be embrasing one another to help face a world which seems to be intent upon silencing the church and the "foundations for living" which we strive to uphold.

I joined this faith about ten years ago after a twenty year hiatus from the Lutheran Church. Since that time I've participated by becoming an instructor and team leader for RCIA. I've also been involved on the Parish Council, serving last year as our Parish President. I've enjoyed participating in the Mass as a Lector and Eucharistic minister and truely can't understand why more of my traditional counterparts do not become more involved in any of those areas.

Jump start your faith journey, by peaking in the door of your local RCIA and you might be surprised by the number of "good faith friends" you make along the way.

Peace

-- Leon (vol@weblink2000.net), October 29, 2003.

It should be noted that the Joint Declaration on Justification made by the Catholic and Luteran Churches has ended the major theological argument that divided the Churches.

We are very, very close theologically.

Here is a Vatican link: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documen ts/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-official-statement_en.html

I saw the new movie, Luther. It appears they edited out quite a bit. It was OK. If taken in historical terms, it wasn't bad. The Catholic Church did not need the negative, though.

The Church has endured longer than any "institution" in history. Obviously, the Holy Spirit is still working.

God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), October 29, 2003.

John can you provide a hyper link instead...this one doesn't work.

Which Lutheran Synods made the agreement...there are several.

-- susan (susanlatte@aol.com), October 29, 2003.

I have been a Lutheran of the ELCA for my entired life. I fully understand what the church is about but I am seeking more information about the CAtholic faith.

-- susan (susanlatte@aol.com), October 29, 2003.

Susan. I hope these work: http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/pccujnt4.htm

http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/pccujnt1.htm

God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), October 30, 2003.

We are very, very close theologically.

We're closer than most thought on THAT subject (salvation), but still apart (a little to a lot) on many other subjects. Like all the other "mainstream" Protestant denominations, Lutheranism is dying out. This is partly due to contracepting and aborting themselves into oblivion and partly due to conversions to Catholicism or to some other non-Catholic position.

Susan, if you are seeking more information about the Catholic faith, how would you feel about this idea? Choose an important subject. Tell us what you believe on that subject. Catholics can then tell you whether their belief is the same, similar, or very different. If you don't want to get information by personal exchanges, you can read the Catechism.

-- (Still@Far.Apart), November 01, 2003.