working4christ2

ThePerson · #1 Feb 22, '13, 7:11 pm

I am not sure exactly where to put this, so I put it here. My friend is considering converting to another religion outside of Catholicism, which she has been part of since she was born. I have tried to talk her out of it, but she has made up her mind, and as her friend I have decided to respect her decision. She was baptized as a baby. Is there anything official she has to do to leave the Church? She is going to continue going to a Catholic school since she loves the small classes and teachers. The problem is, we go to mass once a month as a school. What should she do about that. I am asking because she is too afraid to ask for herself. Also, I am curious, if she leaves the church, but comes back, will she have to be baptized again? Any answers would be appreciated, thank you.

subject97 · #2 Feb 22, '13, 8:06 pm

As far as I understand, she doesn't have to do anything official to leave the church, because in the eyes of the church and God, she is still Catholic. A non-practicing Catholic, but still a Catholic. If she does convert, then i suppose she'll just have to tell her teacher that she isn't Catholic and that she doesn't wish to go to Mass. If she does end up coming back then all she'll have to do is go to confession for leaving the church and she'll be set to go.

robwar · #3 Feb 22, '13, 9:38 pm

What is she converting to and do her parents know and what do they think about it?

robwar · #4 Feb 22, '13, 9:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePerson

I am not sure exactly where to put this, so I put it here. My friend is considering converting to another religion outside of Catholicism, which she has been part of since she was born. I have tried to talk her out of it, but she has made up her mind, and as her friend I have decided to respect her decision. She was baptized as a baby. Is there anything official she has to do to leave the Church? She is going to continue going to a Catholic school since she loves the small classes and teachers. The problem is, we go to mass once a month as a school. What should she do about that. I am asking because she is too afraid to ask for herself. Also, I am curious, if she leaves the church, but comes back, will she have to be baptized again? Any answers would be appreciated, thank you.

you are only baptized once. If someone left the church after confirmation, to come back to the Church, they would have to go to confession and then she would be in full standing.
why does she want to leave? what is appealing about the other religion?

3DOCTORS · #5 Feb 22, '13, 9:57 pm

You might want to browse through this website's resources - who knows, you might find some materials that could help your friend with whatever spiritual crisis has caused her to want to switch religions. There are lots of good, in-depth materials here. Also check out EWTN's site and other reliable Catholic sites. To paraphrase Archbishop Fulton Sheen, most people don't really hate or reject the Catholic Church, but rather what they misunderstand the Catholic Church to be.

**JRKH** · #6 Feb 23, '13, 4:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePerson

I am not sure exactly where to put this, so I put it here. My friend is considering converting to another religion outside of Catholicism, which she has been part of since she was born. I have tried to talk her out of it, but she has made up her mind, and as her friend I have decided to respect her decision.

You are indeed a very good friend.
I would suggest you take the "prodigal son" parable as your inspiration here and recognize that she must follow her own spiritual course and that you (in the position of the father) must let her.

Quote:

She was baptized as a baby. Is there anything official she has to do to leave the Church?

No - She would simply become a non-practicing Catholic.

Quote:

She is going to continue going to a Catholic school since she loves the small classes and teachers. The problem is, we go to mass once a month as a school. What should she do about that. I am asking because she is too afraid to ask for herself. Also, I am curious, if she leaves the church, but comes back, will she have to be baptized again? Any answers would be appreciated, thank you.

She can still attend mass, but she needs to refrain from taking communion.

Her fear to tell anyone disturbs me though. If she is convicted on this matter, why is she afraid?
If she is afraid, this indicates to me that she is not sufficiently convicted in the matter and she needs to do some more research.

As others have suggested, if you share some of the issues, where she intends to go, what her objections are to the Catholic Church etc...perhaps we can help her become more sure just where she belongs.

Peace
James

Bezant · #7 Feb 23, '13, 9:18 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePerson

Is there anything official she has to do to leave the Church? Also, I am curious, if she leaves the church, but comes back, will she have to be baptized again? Any answers would be appreciated, thank you.

From the view of the Catholic Church, there is no formal "exit" procedure. If she returned, she would seek the Sacrament of Penance and there would be no need to baptise her again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePerson

She is going to continue going to a Catholic school since she loves the small classes and teachers. The problem is, we go to mass once a month as a school. What should she do about that. I am asking because she is too afraid to ask for herself.

Everyone (including non-Catholics and non-practising Catholics) are welcome to attend Mass, but only Catholics in good standing may recieve the Eucharist.

However, you should encourage your friend to discuss her situation with the school. While it's understandably uncomfortable, making the school aware of her conversion might avoid future misunderstandings or problems.

Bezant · #8 Feb 23, '13, 9:22 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3DOCTORS

You might want to browse through this website's resources - who knows, you might find some materials that could help your friend with whatever spiritual crisis has caused her to want to switch religions.

How do you know her friend went through a spiritual crisis?

CarolNoel · #9 Feb 23, '13, 10:21 am

So sorry to hear about your friend. I know you will keep your friend in your thoughts and prayers and many of us on CAF will too.

ThePerson · #10 Feb 23, '13, 1:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRKH

Her fear to tell anyone disturbs me though. If she is convicted on this matter, why is she afraid?
If she is afraid, this indicates to me that she is not sufficiently convicted in the matter and she needs to do some more research.

As others have suggested, if you share some of the issues, where she intends to go, what her objections are to the Catholic Church etc...perhaps we can help her become more sure just where she belongs.

Peace
James

I think she is afraid to tell anyone because she doesn't want them to think she is a bad person. I am not sure exactly what she wants to become, but I have seen her researching things like Wicca. I am also not sure exactly why she wants to leave the church because all she ever says is "It doesn't fit me."

IgnatianPhilo · #11 Feb 23, '13, 4:52 pm

Does your friend know their own religion?

GaryTaylor · #12 Feb 24, '13, 2:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePerson

I think she is afraid to tell anyone because she doesn't want them to think she is a bad person. I am not sure exactly what she wants to become, but I have seen her researching things like Wicca. I am also not sure exactly why she wants to leave the church because all she ever says is "It doesn't fit me."

She won't talk to a Priest? Why?

PJM · #13 Feb 24, '13, 5:27 am

Quote:

=ThePerson;10396044]I am not sure exactly where to put this, so I put it here. My friend is considering converting to another religion outside of Catholicism, which she has been part of since she was born. I have tried to talk her out of it, but she has made up her mind, and as her friend I have decided to respect her decision. She was baptized as a baby. Is there anything official she has to do to leave the Church? She is going to continue going to a Catholic school since she loves the small classes and teachers. The problem is, we go to mass once a month as a school. What should she do about that. I am asking because she is too afraid to ask for herself. Also, I am curious, if she leaves the church, but comes back, will she have to be baptized again? Any answers would be appreciated, thank you.

No; one Baptism is ALL that is permitted and NEEDED for life.

Consider these FACTS:[all provable from the bible itself; space permitting]

Because we KNOW their is Only One God: "Perfect and Triune" their logically and factually can Only be One right set of Faith beliefs. God who IS Perfect simply cannot hold differing; even contradictory views on the identical issues. SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE.

Christ invented the term "church" to make clear
He was founding a New and a Necessary way to heaven
Pagans had Temples
Jews had Synagogues
Christ followers WOULD have "church's"

Because the Bible was completely authored by the end of the 1st. Century; the Bibles Canon set [the books selected and confirmed as Divinely Inspired] in the early 4th. Century AND NO OTHER "CHURCH" would even exist for about 700 years; each and every reference to "church" in the bible refers ONLY to today's CC.

ONLY the CC has
Jesus own protection Jn. 17: 15-19
The SEVEN Sacraments EACH instituted by Jesus Himself
Jesus TRULY Present in the Eucharist
The Sacrament of KNOWN forgiveness of sins [the Only method APPROVED by God]
The Entirety of Christ Faith Teachings
The ONLY Key's and access to heaven

So anyone; and everyone for ANY reason who chooses to abandon the CC does factually put their SOULS at grave risk.

St Paul warns of DIRE consequences for those who deny and abandon Christ only founded Church and set of Faith beliefs:

Heb. 6: 4-8 "For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, Have moreover tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, And are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making him a mockery. For the earth that drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God. But that which bringeth forth thorns and briers, is reprobate, and very near unto a curse, whose end is to be burnt.

IT IS FAR MORE PRUDENT TO ACTUALLY MAKE THE EFFORT TO LEARN WHAT AND WHY WE BELIEVE AS WE DO BECAUSE IT IS; because IT IS; THE SINGULAR TRUTH! It is the singular and normal path to conditional salvation. Amen.

Heaven and Hell are REAL. Pray about it.

God bless,
Pat/PJM

**JRKH** · #14 Feb 24, '13, 8:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePerson

I think she is afraid to tell anyone because she doesn't want them to think she is a bad person. I am not sure exactly what she wants to become, but I have seen her researching things like Wicca. I am also not sure exactly why she wants to leave the church because all she ever says is "It doesn't fit me."

It might be useful for you to learn more about what she is looking into and why...Obviously she is looking for something that "fits her' and may not realize that it could very well exist within the Church.

Being young her view of the Church is probably very legalistic. The Church has rules, and "bosses" etc. She likely sees the church as rather judgmental, and perhaps not very inclusive (gender issues?). She may see the Church as not being very tied to things natural or have a deeply spiritual aspect of the type that she might see in other belief systems.

In most all of these cases she would be wrong.

Yes the Church does have leaders and has many rules...but that is barely the surface and that surface only exists as evidence of much deeper and more profound spiritual aspects.

If you can find out what is that draws her to some other faith or belief system, I'll wager that the same sort of spirituality can be found in Catholicism.
You might ask her what her "ideal" spirituality would be (what "fits" her) and if you posted it here - or in a new thread - I'm sure that the good people here could point you and her to great spiritual reading and spiritual paths that would give her a great deal to think about and consider....(Catholics believe that???)(Catholic saints did that???)

Try it. Be interested in her studies. Draw her out on what she is looking for. The Catholic Church headed by God's only Son, most likely has it in some form.

Peace
James

PJM · #15 Feb 24, '13, 2:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Person View Post
I think she is afraid to tell anyone because she doesn't want them to think she is a bad person. I am not sure exactly what she wants to become, but I have seen her researching things like Wicca. I am also not sure exactly why she wants to leave the church because all she ever says is "It doesn't fit me."

We were ALL young once [me a LONG time ago]

But youth alone is not a sufficient excuse for what your friend contemplates.

God gives each of us only One life and one is prudent to Recognize this fact. One has no
Guarantee of old or even "older age."

Heaven AND hell are real and Eternity IS forever.

God Bless,
pat/PJM

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